Azman: The government can give notice to the owner and take back the land if needed.
Lease for the site to sell used imported cars in KL given under National Land Code, says PM’s aide
THE 21-year lease given to build a car showroom on land gazetted as a green lung in Jalan Kuching can be cancelled at any time if the government deems it necessary, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary Azman Abidin.
“If we want to take it back, we can do so anytime as long as it’s for a good reason and we give notice (to the owner).
“Bear in mind though that the owner had spent millions of ringgit to construct his showroom and offices at the site.
ALSO READ: Car showroom built on former green space
“He had followed procedure, applied for permission and got it but (he) knows that there cannot be a permanent (structure), so we can cancel anytime.
“In the future, if the government wants to turn the land into a public park or widen the road, we can take it back, it is not set in stone.
“The decision to do so will have to be brought up to the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Exco (JKTWPKL),” said Azman, who was responding to a StarMetro report on July 17 with the headline “Car showroom built on former green space.”
On Nov 13, 2020, JKTWPKL approved an application for the land to be leased for a showroom to display used imported cars for 21 years until Jan 27, 2042.
Flasback to StarMetro’s frontpage report on July 17.
The dealership is paying RM24,449 as annual premium for the land, and Azman said the rate was set by the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office (PTGWP).
He conceded that the annual premium could be considered low, but explained that it was calculated based on the land’s quit rent rates.
The land in question, Lot 65419 measuring 0.6793ha, was gazetted as a green area on Sept 3, 2009 and later included into the gazetted Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.
It is located opposite Laman Hijau and borders the Kepong and Batu parliamentary constituencies.
Azman said under the National Land Code 1965, there is a provision that allows the government to lease out reserved land.
Prior to the gazettement, the land was occupied by illegal businesses.
After numerous complaints, PTGWP issued notices to the violators to vacate the land.
The decision to lease the land may also have been prompted by efforts to deter further illegal encroachments, said Azman.
