Developer: Langkawi project still valid
KUCHING: The proposed Langkawi New City project remains valid and will take off soon, despite Kedah government having denied receipt of the RM30-billion project plan.
In this regard, the developer Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing believes that Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir ‘could have forgotten about the proposal’.
Speaking at a press conference in Century Hotel near here yesterday, Pek Khiing insisted that the project was ‘still valid’ and talked at length about how he spent the last 25 years planning it.
“I planned the project together with then-prime minister and also the state government (of Kedah) to develop Langkawi into the second Dubai, because Langkawi has the conditions ( like those) like Dubai.
“There is no factory around in Langkawi – no pollution but fresh air. Among the highlights of this project are the 30,000 units of highrise luxury apartments. They (foreign investors) appoint me as advisor to this project – having asked me to announce it. I’ve been working on it for the last 25 years,” he told reporters.
According to Pek Khiing, these foreign investors come from countries like Russia and France, claiming that they are very keen about the project – having seen the success of Dubai.
It is said that the cost of development in Langkawi would only be one- quarter of that incurred in developing Dubai.
Pek Khiing also said he had obtained approvals from relevant authorities, including the Langkawi Development Authority ( Lada) and Department of Civil Aviation ( DCA) in 2013 and 2016, respectively.
“I have all the documents here. I think he ( Mukhriz) has forgotten — that’s why I want to show them now, and I will bring them to him,” he pointed out.
Pek Khiing said on Mukhriz’s remarks about the project having not been considered by the Kedah government and the original proposal would no longer be considered valid, he would resubmit the proposal to the Kedah government soon to seek the final approval.
Reiterating that he had all the necessary documents for the project to take off, he said he would fly to Kedah soon and submit the papers to the state government there.
I planned the project together with then-prime minister and also the state government (of Kedah) to develop Langkawi into the second Dubai, because Langkawi has the conditions (like those) like Dubai. Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing, developer
“He ( Mukhriz) was out of office and now he is back. It doesn’t matter – I make this announcement now and this project will take off soon. There is no need to question about all this now – the project is still valid; otherwise, what I’m here for?
“To clarify this thing is very important. I don’t need to argue with him ( Mukhriz), this is the latest one ( project proposal) – you read through,” he stressed.
When prompted to clarify his financial status, Pek Khiing said: “I don’t need money to do this thing. The investors are paying the money. I use my eyes and my mouth, because I’m an advisor to the project.”
The businessman later showed reporters the documented project proposal entitled ‘ Mahsuri City of Langkawi – Langkawi Square’ on the cover, followed by ‘ Developer: Langkasuma Marina Development Sdn Bhd’ with a local ( Kuching) address printed on the bottom part.
When asked if the project were to be implemented by a local developer, Ting said: “That is appointed by the foreign investors.”
Pek Khiing was accompanied by his son Michael Ting at the press conference.