PETALING JAYA: The state government has never agreed to allow a developer to take over a school's compound to build a road, says a state leader.
Selangor investment, trade and mobility committee chairman Ng Sze Han said that, at an earlier meeting on Dec 7 last year, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had decided for the developer to upgrade the two-way two-lane road to a three-lane road without encroaching into SJK (T) Ladang Kinrara.
" SJK (T) Ladang Kinrara was established in 1946, before the delineation of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur was made in 1974. The designated border line has encroached into part of the school area.
"Around 2020, DBKL approved the construction of a two-block residency building with over 1,600 housing units next to the school, separated by Jalan Kinrara MAS, a two-way two-lane road.
"As a result, the developer was required to widen Jalan Kinrara MAS to four lanes and take over the school area.
"However, a meeting on December 7, 2023, at the DBKL headquarters decided to allow the developer to upgrade the road to only three lanes for now," he said in a statement on Monday (March 25).
It was also "surprising" for the developer to demand the handover of part of the school land by April 1, he said.
He urged the developer and DBKL to be considerate of the needs and welfare of the 700 pupils before deciding on the land acquisition.
"DBKL and the developer should seek a solution that ensures the school's rights are protected," he said.
Ng said he has also contacted the Education Ministry for a follow-up action on this matter.
On Sunday, an online news portal reported that the school refused to hand over part of its land to a developer unless it is compensated properly.
Citing a letter sighted, it said the developer requested SJK (T) Ladang Kinrara hand over 3,000 sq ft of its compound for the expansion of Jalan Kinrara MAS.
The letter also stated that the plan to expand the road was made during a meeting between the developer, DBKL, and representatives of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Ng on Dec 7 last year.
The school’s board chairman Gobi Gurusamy, reportedly said they were not called to the meeting.
He also claimed that the school was unaware of the development until they were given a letter on March 4 calling for a meeting between the school and the developer on March 18 before the handover on April 1.
