By Chok Sim Yee
Wisma Tionghua Sabah project after CN
KOTA KINABALU: The Wisma Tionghua Sabah project, a joint venture (JV) development between Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC), The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) and developer Arah Permai Sdn Bhd, is expected to commence construction after the Chinese New Year, next year.
SUCCC president Tan Sri Andrew Liew Sui Fatt, who chairs the building committee for the project, said the Lands and Surveys Department had granted approval for the conversion of land use to mixed development with a premium of RM9,050,050.
Arah Permai executive director Datuk Francis Goh handed the Letter of Offer by the Lands and Surveys Department, dated November 28, 2017, to Liew and USCCAKK president cum building committee vice chairperson Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen here yesterday.
Liew said the premium of land use conversion would be settled by the developer in advance, while both associations would make repayments by way of contra through rentals upon the completion of the project.
SUCCC, USCCAKK and developer Arah Permai signed the JV agreement on September 29, 2013 to develop the 2.7 acres of land in Karamunsing. The land was allocated to SUCCC and USCCAKK by the state government in 1997 with the original land use of erecting a building.
The proposed 16-storey Wisma Tionghua Sabah comprises a shopping mall, a five-star hotel with 318 rooms, 998 parking lots and a banquet hall which can accommodate 1,800 guests.
Under the JV agreement, both USCCA and SUCCC are allotted 400 parking spaces, office lots and the the banquet hall. Arah Permai will be renting the banquet ball from both the associations but a portion of the rental is to be used to repay the developer for the premium by way of contra.
With the conversion of land use approved, Liew said the developer expected to commence construction after the Chinese New Year.
Arah Permai will also bear the annual rent of RM323,300 to the Lands and Surveys Department.
Also present was the building committee secretary Datuk Wong Yit Ming.