“Flip flop in a matter of days” has become the byword for the present Najib government, whether on its mishandling of the Bersih 2.0 peacefull rally for free and fair elections on July 9 or the parliamentary select committee on electoral reforms.
There is now the latest addition to the Najib government’s “Flip Flop List” – the controversy over the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT) land acquisition of Jalan Sultan properties.
Only three days ago, the MCA President Datuk Seri Chua Soi Lek had announced that the government had backtracked from its decision to acquire the land and 31 buildings around Jalan Sultan in Kuala Lumpur to make way for the MRT mega project.
Chua said that after discussion with Land Public Transport Commission (SPAN) chairperson Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, “an understanding and agreement” had been reached whereby as a “compromise”, the government will only acquire the strata title for the property 100 feet below ground required for the MRT tunnel, while the buildings, many of which are nearly a hundred years old, and land above ground will remain in the current owners’ hands.
However, the residents may have to vacate their property during the six months or so of tunnelling works, while the government will also be required to strengthen the heritage buildings should they be affected by the works underground.
“The cost of the strengthening and the compensation to the owners will be detailed later,” Chua said.
Chua’s announcement of government backtracking on MRT’s Jalan Sultan land acquisition did not survive 24 hours as the very next day, Hamid not only rubbished Chua’s talk of government strata title for the property 100 feet below ground but reiterated compulsory acquisition of Jalan Sultan’s land and 31 buildings.
Hamid delivered a greater shocker when he declared that there was no guarantee that the acquired Jalan Sultan properties would eventually be returned to the owners although the authorities were working on a solution to allow traders to return to their Chinatown lots being acquired for the KVMRT.
The Jalan Sultan traders were delivered another shock when it is revealed today that the Pemandu chief Datuk Idris Jalan had written to the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Malaysia (ACCIM) president Tan Sri William Chen to justify the government pursuing a “rail-and-property” model as it would not be able to recover the cost of the first KVMRT line between Sungai Buloh and Kajang through fares alone.
The affected Jalan Sultan traders and the Malaysian public are entitled to ask – Who is telling the truth about the MRT Jalan Sultan land acquisition: Chua Soi Lek, Hamid Albar or Idris Jala.
The Najib administration must be reminded of its grandiose promises of various transformation programmes to act with transparency and integrity, and that it bears the onus to satisfy the affected Jalan Sultan traders and owners as well as the Malaysian public the responsibility to establish that the MRT project owner Prasana Nasional Bhd is not attempting to hijack prime land in Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur affecting heritage shoplots for the ulterior motive of profit as the 1990 amendment to the National Land Code had specifically provided for the MRT needs of “underground railways” development.
The lunatics are running the mental hospital! Run for your life
When we were young, our parents taught us that we must always tell the truth because there is only one truth. But if you tell a lie, you will then need to tell two lies to cover that lie. Next, you will need to tell four lies to cover that two lies.
Examples abounds. DUMC raid, Tung Shin fiasco, electoral reforms, C4ed Mongolian lady, Lynas etc. the list goes on. Each time another layer of lies is added, the liars dig a deeper hole for themselves.
This Jln. Sultan acquisition is another in a long line of lies. Why can’t SPAD just tell the truth? Defend your decision if you are right. If you cannot defend your decision then you are obviously wrong so put your tail between your legs, apologise and get lost.
No money…but the billion RM project must go on.
Malaysians looses from the deal…but UMNO B keep on making money through all sorts of stunts.
Lunatics they maybe.
But I suspect..greedy for money to continue the life style they are so used to is one of the reason.
They are so corrupted…everything they propose …Malaysians suffer and they get rich.
I don’t know who is telling the lies BUT the evidence is clear who is generally incompetent and stupid – UMNO/BN.. Throw the buggers out before its too late..
And why does a country like Malaysia making RM80 billions per year in exporting oil is so poor?
Which country in the world…exporting oil is so poor?
Few and they are governed by Dictators and corrupt politicians.
Just look only to Singapore…no oil….so rich and their people never complaint.
Are we complaining out of joy or out of frustrations?
The voices of the people are shouting and exposing with no fear….is good for the future and that bothers Najib most.
Where is Kong Cho Ha??? Why Chua Soi Lek comes out to speak on the transport issue?
FDI will plunge to its lowest.Even the locals will not have confident to do business here due to the government’s flip-flop policy.Constitution,contracts,agreements,words,ect not honoured by this blardy dishonest so-called chicken leaders.Kick this BN out before Canland gone to the dog.
Hmmm, naj!B’s administration is just like haggard loose cannon balls flying around without direction. Better run for cover.
Ah Ha Chai now only in charge of announcing speed limit during Raya and Chinese new year. SPAD has taken over not just MRT, but also JPJ and Puspakom. Of course the taxi, bus and lorry permits was never with MOT in the first place.
This administration is just like haggard loose cannon b*lls flying around without direction. Better run for cover before got it.
My answer is none of them. The rationale behind my answer is because all three of them Chua de Soiled Leg, Hamid de Lowbar and Jala de netspinner have pawned and surrendered their nuts to UMNO for safe keeping so that there is no need to even squeeze any one’s nuts in order to do as told. The three have reached the pinnacle of their very existence for they have now achieved the status equivalent to puppets without the need for strings (because they can move without the strings being pulled) or lapdogs without needing the command of the master (because they can now directly read the mind of its master under a shared wavelength). Being the master of flip flop, Najib is indeed a very good sifu to its disciples, and the three are practising the acquired art of flip flopping with great skill. Bravo!!!
The plight of Jln Sultan traders/shopowners is that generally and in land acquisition cases in particular principle of salus populi suprema lex (public interests overriding private interests) applies not only here but in the jurisprudence of most civilized countries. It is not helped by the fact that “public purpose” as stated in Land Acqusition Act is open ended and by admission of at least one Malaysian judge Hashim Yeop A Sani, “incapable of a precise definition”! He said in his view “it is still best to employ a simple commonsense test, that is, to see whether the purpose serves the general interest of the community”. However who determines that? The Courts shirk away and here especially leave it to the views or justifications of the government or agencies like Land Public Transport Commission (SPAN).
As in cases like this it is uphill to challenge the balancing of sections of public interest made by authorities – by arguing the buildings are heritage, helps tourism etc and they could acquire the subterranean land below these affected shop lots allowed for per Tony Pua’s argument by amendments to National Land Code. One has to prove bad faith- not easy. SPAN simply says that even “profit” made helps thje cause of LRT/public transportation. MCA’s CSL of course joined to fray hoping assistance to Chinatown traders will help MCA’s image and get votes. But what is MCA? (“Chua’s announcement of government backtracking on MRT’s Jalan Sultan land acquisition did not survive 24 hours as the very next day, as contradicted by SPAN Chairperson Hamid Albar). This is more a political issue/decision than an area that law could resolve. Had this concerned Kampung Bharu, political leverage of the traders/shopowners will be stronger relative to political decisions of UMNO controlled govt. So get real MCA.
Guys like Jeffery is never afraid of loose cannon balls because he speaks with deep wisdom.
But I hope this do not encourage him to be long winded and boring at times.,hahjahahahaha
It is Chinese land mark over 80 years historical place
Don’t give in unless at least one for one some place very near plus money compensation
Believe me, if this goes as planned, say goodbye to CHINATOWN for good and welcome BANDAR MELAYU!
#14 ‘It is Chinese land mark over 80 years historical place’
When it comes to projects where (1) opportunities for ‘pocketing percentage’ looms large and (2) there is pre-election sandiwara mileage to capitalise on , do you think UMNO (does MCA matter?) will give two hoots about historical or heritage value?
Truly Asia? It means them running off to Europe/US/Canada/Australia to build empires there with the pocketed riches and leave us ordinary folks to pick the ruins.
The part that should concern people the most is that they even considered that they could get away with it. IT reeks of over-entitlement gone crazy – deep prodigality that underlies the foundation of the controlling elite. Its no different than those rich amd [powerful Arabs indulging in their wildest fantasies.
The sense of responsibility is FRIGHTENING and the worst part of it is that they think they are not – working hard – working hard to perpetuate injustice and abuse.
Another first for Malaysia, The most expensive MRT in the world, per metre basis, very very expensive indeed !!
Klang Valley folks can expect another ‘leap’ in he cost of living when the MRT is completed. with much higher expenses, but may be marginal increased in income. Govt (or Malaysian) will be paying huge interest on the MRT project cost.
What is justice?
Can you imagine if some practice in corrupted gov saying that in such situation CORRUPTIONs is permitted to suit their need?
In such situation CRIMINAL ACTS is permitted to suit their need?
Is there any truly justice?
As expected, the pornstar hero came to the rescue of Jalan Sultan shop owners. The whole scenario stink from day one as rakyat is suspicious what went on between BN/UMNO/MCA politicians.
What happen to that transport minister????? I bet he was either ordered to dudok diam diam by his boss or some influntial famous ultra greedy Umnoputras. Or perhaps he dosent have a clue what his ministry portfolio is. From day one, he has duisplayed his credilbility(if any) and ignorance of what his job is.
Just another TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME by Najis! The transformation of CHINATOWN into BANDAR MELAYU!