ZhongHua builder proposes fair deal
KOTA KINABALU: Developer of the Wisma ZhongHua project at Karamunsing has agreed to bear the premium for land use conversion amounting to more than RM8 million and retain the landowners’ proprietorship of the five-star banquet hall and 40 percent of the parking bays as stipulated in the joint venture (JV) agreement inked in 2013.
The long-delayed project is a JV between Arah Permai Sdn Bhd as the developer, Sabah United Chinese Chambers of Commerce (SUCCC) and The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) as the landowners.
Whilst the developer has agreed to pay the land use conversion premium and retain both associations’ rights to the banquet hall and parking bays, the former has requested to amend the development plan (DP) to add six floors to the original design, which will heighten the development from 16 to 22 floors.
USCCAKK president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen disclosed that during the association’s 44th anniversary celebration cum appreciation night here on Sunday.
She said the developer, Datuk Francis Goh, had also offered the landowners, namely USCCAKK and SUCCC, RM16 million worth of hotel suite units upon completion of the development. Each association will get hotel suite units worth RM8 million if they agree to the offers.
Wong said the offer was very reasonable and thanked Goh for taking the initiative in proposing a fair deal for both associations.
“However, our committee hope to get RM16 million in cash instead of hotel suite units, which we hope the developer will agree to.
“We shall discuss the developer’s latest offer in our upcoming annual general meeting (AGM) on September 20.”
Earlier, Wong said the USCCAKK in its AGM last year had passed a resolution to sell the land where the Wisma ZhongHua project is sited for RM40 million, but the decision was opposed by many Chinese community leaders.
“We had humbly accepted the Chinese community’s suggestion not to sell the land and stick with the JV agreement signed in 2013.”
She said the association later requested the Wisma ZhongHua Building Committee’s legal advisor to negotiate with the developer, Datuk Francis Goh, for his company to settle the premium for land use conversion as stipulated in the JV agreement.
Both SUCCC and USCAKK were allocated the 2.7 acres of prime land at Karamunsing for the purpose of building Wisma ZhongHua by the state government back in 1997. In 2013, both associations inked the JV agreement with Arah Permai to develop the Wisma ZhongHua project. The project requires a change of land use from its original purpose of erecting a noncommercial building for the use of both associations to a commercial development, which incurs a premium of over RM8 million.
Wong thanked USCCAKK former president, Henry Kong, and the then SUCCC president, the late Datuk Seri Panglima Sari Nuar, for successfully applying for the land for the Wisma ZhongHua project.
She also expressed her gratitude to USCCAKK life honorary president Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee for granting approval for the land application during his tenure as the chief minister of Sabah.
On another note, she marked her appreciation to the now caretaker State Government led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal for the tremendous support rendered to the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival and MidAutumn Lantern Parade organized by USCCAKK.
She also thanked the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Liang Caide, for his support towards Chinese cultural activities held by the association.
The event included presentation of appreciation award to USCCAKK vice presidents Chua Kui Ting and Soo Shau Kiong as well as committee member Kapitan Peter Chong for their contribution and service to the association.
Also present at the event were The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) president Tan Sri Dr TC Goh, JP, Datin Seri Panglima Tseu Yee Ming, USCCAKK life honorary president Datuk Lau Kok Sing, deputy president Chua Soon Ping, vice president Datuk Wong Hai Ming, Sabah Association of Tour and Travel Agents (Satta) president Datuk Seri Winston Liaw, Kota Kinabalu Hokkien Association president Datuk Clement Yeh, Huang Association of Malaysia president Datuk Wong Ten An and honorary advisor Datuk Chee Chi Seng.