Making plans: Ahmad Zahid (left) speaking to Ab Rauf at the meeting in Alor Gajah. — Bernama
ALOR GAJAH: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will instruct Felcra Berhad’s chairman and chief executive officer to explain to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) the proposed sale of the Semarak20 building on Jalan Semarak in Kuala Lumpur.
Ahmad Zahid said it would be easier to sell the commercial building en bloc at the current market price.
“So, I will ask the Felcra chairman and CEO to give a detailed explanation to the PAC to prevent PAC from taking information at face value, as Felcra took out a loan to build this complex.
“If it is not paid off, it will impose a financial burden on Felcra,” he said after chairing a coordination meeting with all state exco members in charge of the rural portfolio here yesterday.
Also present was Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, Bernama reported.
On Wednesday, in its report, PAC expressed concern over the sales performance of the building managed by Felcra Berhad, which is reportedly still unsold, with the proposal currently at the discussion stage with potential buyers.
It is understood that several local and international companies, including from Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates have shown interest in purchasing Semarak20 en bloc.
Four companies were said to have submitted letters of intent to purchase the building. However, Felcra Properties Sdn Bhd (FPSB) is still awaiting these parties to submit price offers for further action.
Meanwhile, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, in a response published in the PAC report, said it is committed to ensuring that Felcra and FPSB regularly report on the sales status of the Semarak20 project.
It said these reports would be submitted to its top management through committee meetings to be chaired by the secretary-general or the deputy.
At another event, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the allocation for the construction of new homes under the rebranded Program Perumahan Rakyat Sejahtera – formerly known as the Poor Housing Programme – has been increased.
He said in Peninsular Malaysia, the allocation was raised to RM79,000 from RM66,000, and from RM79,000 to RM85,000 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
“Meanwhile, for home repairs, the allocation has been increased to RM20,000 from RM15,000 (for the peninsula), and for Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, the repair allocation has been raised from RM17,000 to RM20,000.
“Additionally, the size of the homes has been increased from 660 to 680sq feet,” he told reporters after chairing the coordination meeting between the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and rural executive councillors.
Ahmad Zahid said there was a proposal to build a special education kindergarten for autistic children in every district at the meeting.
He said the ministry would follow up on this matter.
