Teo willing to meet SUCCC�� USCCAKK ove�� RM9.3 mln land p��emium

KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang is willing to meet with the Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) and The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) over the RM9.3 million premium imposed for the change of land use for the proposed development of Wisma Tionghua Sabah on the 2.7-acre piece of prime land in Karamunsing.

The SUCCC and USCCAKK are the co-owner of the land.

Teo said the associations would certainly be subjected to revision of premium and quit rent by changing the land use to commercial from its original purpose of just building an association for the use of the members and holding activities.

The issue now is that the associations deemed the premium rate to be a bit too high, he said when asked by the media here yesterday.

USCCAKK president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen recently said that both associations were required to pay RM9.3 million in premium for the conversion of land use for the Wisma Tionghua Sabah project.

She said both associations were considering requesting the State Government to lower the premium rate.

Teo explained that the premium imposed on the project was based on the commercial rate as well as the value of the land.

Nonetheless, Teo said he was uncertain whether the associations had accepted the offer for the change of land use by the Land and Surveys Department.

“If the associations have not accepted the offer, they can file an appeal to the land office. There are ways for it to be reassessed.

“I am willing to listen to them (SUCCC and USCCAKK) if need be,” he said.

The Wisma Tionghua project has been delayed for over 20 years before SUCCC and USCCAKK signed a joint venture agreement with Arah Permai Sdn Bhd for the construction of a 16-storey multipurpose building on the 2.7 acres of prime land in Karamunsing on September 23, 2013.