Perak MB: Official residence not sold off

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu denied that the state government has sold the menteri besar’s official residence in Jalan Raja Dihilir, which sits on a 5.3ha piece of land.

“I’m not sure where this is coming from, but I have said this many times that we are open to any suggestion from those who wish to develop the area, with one condition — they need to build 14 state government official residences.”

The new 14 government official residences are for the menteri besar, state secretary, state legal adviser, state finance officer as well as 10 state executive councillors.

“The area for the new residences has been identified (in Meru Raya) but until today, construction has yet to be carried out. As such, we are suggesting to develop this area or build the 14 residences first before we develop the former residence,” he said in an interview in conjunction with the one-year anniversary of the Pakatan Harapan government.

Faizal is currently staying at the official residence of the state secretary, which is located further down the same road.

He said the new state government’s oficial residence would have a multipurpose hall outside the compound area so that people could use it.

“I have seen only one proposal and it is interesting. There are other companies which are interested to submit their proposals. We are not rushing in to make any decision.

“We want to wait and see as many proposals so that we can see the development of the residences before all related state government officers move in.”

The Chenderiang assemblyman believed that the houses could boost the gross development value of the land held by the state government.

“This is a good thing, but people think the menteri besar can’t wait to get a beautiful house. When this new residence is completed, I may no longer be the menteri besar. I’m doing what’s best for the state and not for me.”

The Perak menteri besar’s official residence in Jalan Raja Dihilir was built in 1962. It was demolished in 1967 and rebuilt during Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib’s tenure as the eighth menteri besar.

It was last occupied by Faizal’s predecessor, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.