SUDC told to submit report on disputed land to CM, Cabinet

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Urban Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (SUDC) has been instructed to submit a detailed report on the disputed 7,200 square feet of land next to SJK(C) Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal and the State Cabinet in order to make the final decision.

Youth and Sports Minister Phoong Jin Zhe said the State Cabinet had reached a consensus to seek a win-win solution, which entailed not hindering the redevelopment of Star City, while at the same time negotiate with the primary school to resolve the land issue.

"My stand is simple. Since this matter involves education, we should set aside the legal issues.

"The government could treat this as a special case to resolve the needs of the school, whilst ensuring a win-win for both parties," he said when contacted yesterday.

On the other hand, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) and SUDC have agreed not to make any press statements pending the search for an amicable solution.

Both parties have agreed to allow the Lands and Surveys Department to investigate the disputed land before a decision is made.

Mayor Datuk Nordin Siman called on all concerned parties for a meeting yesterday morning, including the City Hall (DBKK), KKCCCI, SUDC and Lands and Surveys Department.

Both KKCCCI president Datuk Michael Lui and SUDC managing director Anthony Dumpangol were present at the closed-door meeting.

In a press conference on September 5, Lui said KKCCCI was the rightful owner of the 7,200 square feet of land next to SJK(C) Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu.

However, he said the new Star City project contractor had erected fencing along the land where a permanent structure was currently being built since August this year.

Lui has showed three development plans (DPs) approved by DBKK and Lands and Surveys Department in 2006 which marked KKCCCI as the owner of the land.

He said the Lands and Surveys Department had acquired the land TL017519621 belonging to SJK(C) Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu for urban development and expansion of Kampung Air back in 1996.

On June 5, 1997, AC Property Development Sdn Bhd (ACPD), which was the joint venture partner of SUDC for the Asia City and Star City projects, agreed to allocate a land of the same size to Chung Hwa school for education purposes.

Meanwhile, SUDC in a statement on September 6 said KKCCCI's claim on the ownership of the land was unsubstantiated.

Based on printed documents obtained from the Lands and Surveys Department of Kota Kinabalu on September 3, SUDC said the land was acquired by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah on June 29, 1996 for the purpose of developing and expanding the Kota Kinabalu city area.

On December 3, 1997, a new title was issued to Sabah Economic Development Corporation (Sedco). As such, Sedco reaffirmed its ownership of the current title for the piece of land and there was no subdivision or change of ownership.

It was also mentioned in the statement that SUDC did not have any obligation to materialize any promises made by the previous developer of the Star City project.