Thursday August 11, 2011
The land acquisition exercise for lots in Jalan Sultan earmarked for the multi-billion development of the MRT MY Rapid Transit will proceed as planned. The affected stakeholders of the said project were told by Syarikat Prasarana Nasional Berhad (SPNB) Project Development Division group director Zulkifli Mohamed Yusoff that the land acquisition process is in accordance with the existing National Land Code 1965.
The stretch meant for land acquisition is between Jalan Sultan and Jalan Hang Jebat. It will make way for the 700m underground MRT track connecting the Merdeka Station and Pasar Seni Station which is part of the RM30 billion public transport network upgrading.
Zulkifli said the office of the Director-General of Lands And Mines (Federal) Department had served the E Form notice, which is the document that states the government's intentions to acquire land for public development.
"The served notice is to call upon all the affected parties to a scheduled hearing during which the affected landowners can address issues relating to compensation, loss of business, renovations and other reparation factors.
"All these will be taken into consideration when compensation is being determined," said Zulkifli during a special meeting with the affected property owners held at the group's headquarters in Wisma UOA, Bangsar, yesterday.
Zulkifli said during the hearing, the affected property owners can state the valuation of their property via a consultant before the hearing committee.
He added in cases where the landowners do not agree to the amount of compensation awarded by the authorities, they can appeal within six weeks.
"A notice will be sent to the Prime Minister's Department for the release of the compensation once it is confirmed and payment would be issued within three months from the date the notice was served.
"After payment is settled, the authorities will then proceed to take possession of the land," he said.
Zulkifli said a reasonable timeframe will be given to the affected parties to vacate the acquired property, adding that the tunnelling project in Jalan Sultan will start early next year.
Read more: IT’S FINAL http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2ht/Article/#ixzz1WEAN1sjT
FACELIFT POSER By Halim Said streets@nstp.com.my 2011/08/15
Plans for the redevelopment of B-P House, the scouts’ headquarters, have hit a snag as part of its land may be acquired for the MRT project
Recently, Streets reported that a row of post-World War 2 colonial buildings in Jalan Sultan will be making way for the underground MRT My Rapid Transit tracks.
Now, it has emerged that they will not be the only British heritage buildings slated to be demolished.
The Malaysia Scouting Association (PPM)'s four-storey headquarters, the "B-P House" in Jalan Hang Jebat, which was built in May 16, 1954, and named after the initials of the founder of the scout movement Lord Robert Baden-Powell, is also earmarked to be demolished for a RM35 million redevelopment project.
Under the redevelopment plans, the old B-P House will be demolished and rebuilt as the new PPM headquarters with a 15-storey hotel room, a banquet hall, multi-level parking bays, office lots and a coffee house on the 870 square metre site belonging to the association.
However, the proposed project hit a snag and may not take off this year as planned as a portion of the association's land is being acquired for the MRT underground tracks from the Merdeka Station to Pasar Seni Station. The Merdeka Station is near the 100-storey Menara Warisan Merdeka project.
PPM chief executive secretary Mohd Zaki Nuruddin said the development of the new headquarters and the hotel was envisioned by the Malaysian Scout Federation honorary president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he was prime minister.
Zaki said the association had yet to be served the Notice E Form as stated in the National Land Code 1965. The document cites the government's move to acquire any land required for public purposes.
"We found out that a small portion of the land was marked with red during the three-month MRT project public display.
"We were told that the markings showed the affected properties which may be acquired for the project. Subsequently, we submitted an objection against the proposed land acquisition exercise due to our redevelopment plans," he said.
Zaki said the new headquarters will maintain the same facade design as the old B-P House. The hotel, he said, will cater to both scouts and the public.
PPM headquarters redevelopment project developer Trans Excel Corporation Sdn Bhd director Zulkarnain Sulaiman said the development order for the project had been submitted to City Hall before the association was aware of the plans for the land acquisition.
KUALA LUMPUR: The city's colonial buildings are fast disappearing.
He said the development plans sent to City Hall for approval were put on hold pending further review by its Land Use Committee.
Zulkarnain said 50.4 square metres of the land has been earmarked for acquisition and this would make a huge difference to the actual construction plans in terms of the space for the building and it would also incur additional costs.
"We will be meeting with the MRT project authorities on Tuesday (tomorrow) to discuss the matter and we hope that they will not proceed with the land acquisition."
The MRT My Rapid Transit project will be built along a 51km electrified track between two ending stations in Sungai Buloh and Kajang.
There will be 31 stations along the route and the 9.5km underground track will begin from the Semantan Station and resurfaces at the Maluri Station.
Now, it has emerged that they will not be the only British heritage buildings slated to be demolished.
The Malaysia Scouting Association (PPM)'s four-storey headquarters, the "B-P House" in Jalan Hang Jebat, which was built in May 16, 1954, and named after the initials of the founder of the scout movement Lord Robert Baden-Powell, is also earmarked to be demolished for a RM35 million redevelopment project.
Under the redevelopment plans, the old B-P House will be demolished and rebuilt as the new PPM headquarters with a 15-storey hotel room, a banquet hall, multi-level parking bays, office lots and a coffee house on the 870 square metre site belonging to the association.
However, the proposed project hit a snag and may not take off this year as planned as a portion of the association's land is being acquired for the MRT underground tracks from the Merdeka Station to Pasar Seni Station. The Merdeka Station is near the 100-storey Menara Warisan Merdeka project.
PPM chief executive secretary Mohd Zaki Nuruddin said the development of the new headquarters and the hotel was envisioned by the Malaysian Scout Federation honorary president Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he was prime minister.
Zaki said the association had yet to be served the Notice E Form as stated in the National Land Code 1965. The document cites the government's move to acquire any land required for public purposes.
"We found out that a small portion of the land was marked with red during the three-month MRT project public display.
"We were told that the markings showed the affected properties which may be acquired for the project. Subsequently, we submitted an objection against the proposed land acquisition exercise due to our redevelopment plans," he said.
Zaki said the new headquarters will maintain the same facade design as the old B-P House. The hotel, he said, will cater to both scouts and the public.
PPM headquarters redevelopment project developer Trans Excel Corporation Sdn Bhd director Zulkarnain Sulaiman said the development order for the project had been submitted to City Hall before the association was aware of the plans for the land acquisition.
KUALA LUMPUR: The city's colonial buildings are fast disappearing.
He said the development plans sent to City Hall for approval were put on hold pending further review by its Land Use Committee.
Zulkarnain said 50.4 square metres of the land has been earmarked for acquisition and this would make a huge difference to the actual construction plans in terms of the space for the building and it would also incur additional costs.
"We will be meeting with the MRT project authorities on Tuesday (tomorrow) to discuss the matter and we hope that they will not proceed with the land acquisition."
The MRT My Rapid Transit project will be built along a 51km electrified track between two ending stations in Sungai Buloh and Kajang.
There will be 31 stations along the route and the 9.5km underground track will begin from the Semantan Station and resurfaces at the Maluri Station.
There's light at the end of MRT tunnelMOAZ YUSUF AHMAD for TRANSIT Petaling Jaya, Selangor letters@nst.com.my 2011/08/16
The MCA has urged premises owners in Jalan Sultan and Jalan Petaling, who are affected by the MY Rapid Transit (MRT) projects, to officially highlight their concerns to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD). Party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said he would also help the 31 owners in the area to set up a meeting with SPAD.
"I have suggested that they set up a committee and prepare a memorandum for SPAD on the matter," he told reporters after having a dialogue session with six representatives of owners of Jalan Sultan premises at Wisma MCA here today.
Dr Chua said he had also brought up the issue during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday. He added that SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Nur Kamal, who was present at the meeting, had agreed to look into the possibility of realigning the track or continue the plan without the need to acquire any land.
Today's dialogue was set up, following grave concerns from the owners that the MRT project which runs underground through the famous heritage-rich Chinatown in Jalan Petaling, would bring about negative impact. The premises owners, among others, had urged the government to realign the MRT track and opposed the land acquisition in that area. They were also concerned about the short notice issued by the Land Office on land acquisition.
One of the representatives at the dialogue, Judy Tan, proprietress of the 70-year-old Lok Ann Hotel, said the owners' losses incurred from the projects were not just monetary. She said the area was also a heritage site that represented the identity of the Chinese in the country. "We are willing to be evacuated temporarily, but we are not willing to give up our land," Tan told reporters later.
Another affected owner, Daniel Wong, who has been operating a souvenir retail and wholesale business in the area for more than 20 years, said the area was already well-connected by the rail systems.
There are two LRT stations, namely Pasar Rakyat (Ampang Line) and Pasar Seni (Kelana Jaya Line), and a monorail (Maharajalela station) nearby. -- Bernama
Friday August 19, 2011
LAND Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said he was willing to talk and listen to anyone regarding the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project.
Syed Hamid said his job in SPAD was to listen and take into account the feedback during the public display of the plan.
“We have submitted the feedback to the Prime Minister and he has given his approval,’’ Syed Hamid said.
As far as possible they had made sure that historical and heritage sites were not affected and the public must also realise that the project was for their convenience, Syed Hamid told reporters after handing over prizes to winners of the MRT logo contest at the SPAD office yesterday.
“There was a lot of interaction with the public during the three-month display period and we listened to what they had to say,’’ he added.
Syed Hamid said he had received feedback from Jalan Sultan traders.
“We cannot say if there is going to be a realigment of the MRT in Jalan Sultan. As a commission we will hear what the traders have to say and we will inform them how the process and decisions were made,’’ he added.
Monday August 22, 2011
Traders along Jalan Sultan who are affected by the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project will have a dialogue with Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar tomorrow.
The delegation, led by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, would also submit a memorandum to Syed Hamid.
Dr Chua, who disclosed this yesterday, said: “The traders understand the benefit of having the MRT system, but they need a better solution from the authorities so as to minimise the losses they have to bear.”
In another development, Dr Chua said he would take halal food manufacturers and exporters to meet Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of religious affairs, to discuss the rules and regulations on producing halal food.
This meeting came about after complaints from industry players that the rules imposed by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) were too strict, he said.
Earlier, Dr Chua, who opened the Xiang Lian Youth Association Malaysia’s annual general meeting, urged Chinese-based youth non-governmental organisations to interact more with their non-Chinese counterparts in a bid to promote better understanding of racial harmony and other issues.
“Racial harmony is very fragile and easily jeopardised, hence, Chinese youth NGOs should play an important role in enhancing interaction with other non-Chinese groups to improve racial harmony,” he stressed.
Tuesday August 23, 2011
31 buildings near Jalan Sultan will not make way for the construction of the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (MRT) project.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the shops would remain during the construction period of the project.
He said the location would retain its Chinatown identity and would be maintained as an important tourist and historical landmark in the city.
Dr Chua announced the breakthrough solution after a closed-door dialogue with five representatives of the affected 31 owners, SPAD (Land and Public Transport Commission) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal and Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad officials, at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
"We have reached an agreement and understanding with the government. The government will proceed with the MRT project by acquiring the land beneath the affected shops for the underground tunnels on condition that buildings affected by the tunnelling will be strengthened."
Dr Chua said Prasana would take six months to complete the tunnel construction and only those affected need to be evacuated.
"After that, it will be business as usual. This way, the Chinatown identity will be maintained.
"I thank the 31 affected owners, SPAD, Prasana and representatives of traders of Jalan Sultan for their cooperation to reach the agreement for the good of both parties."
Lee Shan Too, president of the Yen Keng Benevolent Society, one of the affected properties, said they were happy that the government only needed to acquire 30.5m of land beneath the shops for construction of the tunnels.
Lee said details of the compensation for the six-month evacuation and costs had yet to be discussed.
Another owner, Thomas Tan of the historical Lok Ann Hotel, said it was a win-win situation, adding that they "accepted in principle" the agreement reached yesterday.
The 31 owners at Jalan Sultan had voiced their unhappiness when the MRT project sought to acquire their buildings and land for the project.
Read more: 31 shops in Chinatown spared http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/24spa/Article/index_html#ixzz1WE7CD3J0
THE members of the Association for the Improvement of Mass-Transit (Transit) have been following the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) proposal since it was mooted. One of our biggest complaints about public transport projects is that we have public displays, not public consultation.
The MRT project must follow certain "fixed points" (many of which are put in place without public consultation) and the operator is required to only share the optimal alignment with the public.
This was the way the LRT and KL monorail were designed, according to the Railways Act.
The issue over land acquisition along Jalan Sultan in Kuala Lumpur for the MRT project is a clear example of weaknesses in our laws, namely the Railways Act (and its replacement, the Pengangkutan Awam Darat or PAD Act under the Land Public Transport Commission) and the National Land Code.
More importantly, they show us what happens when public consultation is rejected in favour of public display.
No one is against development, so generally the public does not pay attention to government projects unless they are directly affected.
In this case, the issue came to light only when the Form-E notices of land acquisition were delivered in the affected areas, even though the station diagrams and maps had been on public display for three months in government offices and online.
Many people are asking why land must be acquired if the station is underground. A look at the map of the MRT station alignment shows that Jalan Sultan is narrow and curves just east of Jalan Petaling. As a result, part of the station box and the tunnel come under buildings.
According to the National Land Code 1965, to build an underground passageway, the land must be acquired as you cannot simply acquire the underground or aboveground portion.
Some of those who object are suggesting that the MRT station be placed across the river (between KL Railway Station and Pos Malaysia headquarters), or under the parking lot west of Jalan Panggang. Unfortunately, in either case, the MRT would still run under buildings, necessitating land acquisition.
Of course, we could amend the section of the National Land Code to make land acquisition unnecessary, but that should have been done many years ago as it would have saved a lot of headache and got us a better public transport system.
The problem is that it would also place the government in a tough situation if any land located above an underground tunnel were to collapse.
The other issue that people must realise is that the MRT is passing through Jalan Sultan because of what are described as "fixed points" at KL Sentral and the proposed Warisan Merdeka development -- the 100-storey tower that many have objected to.
Also, what Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana) is giving us is the "optimal" alignment between those two points. Perhaps, there are other options that may not be as optimal, but could still be reasonable choices. But Prasarana does not have to share the other options with the public, thanks to a quirk in both the Railways and PAD legislation that has not been addressed.
In the spirit of compromise, we take a look at those options.
One option would be to route the MRT along Jalan Kinabalu instead. This would require it to pass under the northwest corner of the Federal Territory Syariah Court, cross under Jalan Sultan Sulaiman and the east parking lot of KL Railway Station, and in front of Wisma Tun Sambanthan.
This would allow a station at KL Railway Station (providing an important interchange with KTM services). There would also be an interchange with the Pasar Seni LRT station.
The MRT would pass near the Maharajalela monorail station (another interchange), then follow Jalan Stadium to link with Jalan Bukit Bintang as originally planned.
Another advantage of this proposal would be to improve public transport access to Klang Bus Station by opening up the Jalan Kinabalu roundabout to buses without having to use Jalan Petaling and Jalan Sultan.
The other option is a simple and effective one, and would probably not require any land acquisition, simply route the MRT under Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, placing the Pasar Seni MRT station on the west side of Sungai Klang just south of the Pos Malaysia headquarters and Menara Dayabumi.
The MRT would then travel under Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock to Jalan Pudu, and then tunnel below the LRT alignment to a new interchange at Plaza Rakyat and Puduraya bus terminal. From Plaza Rakyat, the MRT would turn towards Jalan Bukit Bintang as originally proposed.
Transit would much rather see the government revive Plaza Rakyat instead of building the Warisan Merdeka.
Since the government had said it intended to use Puduraya bus terminal to replace Kota Raya, this will also allow the MRT to interchange with KL's current and future main bus terminal. And, most importantly, an important piece of KL's heritage would be preserved.
Tuesday August 16, 2011 This was the way the LRT and KL monorail were designed, according to the Railways Act.
The issue over land acquisition along Jalan Sultan in Kuala Lumpur for the MRT project is a clear example of weaknesses in our laws, namely the Railways Act (and its replacement, the Pengangkutan Awam Darat or PAD Act under the Land Public Transport Commission) and the National Land Code.
More importantly, they show us what happens when public consultation is rejected in favour of public display.
No one is against development, so generally the public does not pay attention to government projects unless they are directly affected.
In this case, the issue came to light only when the Form-E notices of land acquisition were delivered in the affected areas, even though the station diagrams and maps had been on public display for three months in government offices and online.
Many people are asking why land must be acquired if the station is underground. A look at the map of the MRT station alignment shows that Jalan Sultan is narrow and curves just east of Jalan Petaling. As a result, part of the station box and the tunnel come under buildings.
According to the National Land Code 1965, to build an underground passageway, the land must be acquired as you cannot simply acquire the underground or aboveground portion.
Some of those who object are suggesting that the MRT station be placed across the river (between KL Railway Station and Pos Malaysia headquarters), or under the parking lot west of Jalan Panggang. Unfortunately, in either case, the MRT would still run under buildings, necessitating land acquisition.
Of course, we could amend the section of the National Land Code to make land acquisition unnecessary, but that should have been done many years ago as it would have saved a lot of headache and got us a better public transport system.
The problem is that it would also place the government in a tough situation if any land located above an underground tunnel were to collapse.
The other issue that people must realise is that the MRT is passing through Jalan Sultan because of what are described as "fixed points" at KL Sentral and the proposed Warisan Merdeka development -- the 100-storey tower that many have objected to.
Also, what Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (Prasarana) is giving us is the "optimal" alignment between those two points. Perhaps, there are other options that may not be as optimal, but could still be reasonable choices. But Prasarana does not have to share the other options with the public, thanks to a quirk in both the Railways and PAD legislation that has not been addressed.
In the spirit of compromise, we take a look at those options.
One option would be to route the MRT along Jalan Kinabalu instead. This would require it to pass under the northwest corner of the Federal Territory Syariah Court, cross under Jalan Sultan Sulaiman and the east parking lot of KL Railway Station, and in front of Wisma Tun Sambanthan.
This would allow a station at KL Railway Station (providing an important interchange with KTM services). There would also be an interchange with the Pasar Seni LRT station.
The MRT would pass near the Maharajalela monorail station (another interchange), then follow Jalan Stadium to link with Jalan Bukit Bintang as originally planned.
Another advantage of this proposal would be to improve public transport access to Klang Bus Station by opening up the Jalan Kinabalu roundabout to buses without having to use Jalan Petaling and Jalan Sultan.
The other option is a simple and effective one, and would probably not require any land acquisition, simply route the MRT under Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, placing the Pasar Seni MRT station on the west side of Sungai Klang just south of the Pos Malaysia headquarters and Menara Dayabumi.
The MRT would then travel under Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock to Jalan Pudu, and then tunnel below the LRT alignment to a new interchange at Plaza Rakyat and Puduraya bus terminal. From Plaza Rakyat, the MRT would turn towards Jalan Bukit Bintang as originally proposed.
Transit would much rather see the government revive Plaza Rakyat instead of building the Warisan Merdeka.
Since the government had said it intended to use Puduraya bus terminal to replace Kota Raya, this will also allow the MRT to interchange with KL's current and future main bus terminal. And, most importantly, an important piece of KL's heritage would be preserved.
The MCA has urged premises owners in Jalan Sultan and Jalan Petaling, who are affected by the MY Rapid Transit (MRT) projects, to officially highlight their concerns to the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD). Party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said he would also help the 31 owners in the area to set up a meeting with SPAD.
"I have suggested that they set up a committee and prepare a memorandum for SPAD on the matter," he told reporters after having a dialogue session with six representatives of owners of Jalan Sultan premises at Wisma MCA here today.
Dr Chua said he had also brought up the issue during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday. He added that SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Nur Kamal, who was present at the meeting, had agreed to look into the possibility of realigning the track or continue the plan without the need to acquire any land.
Today's dialogue was set up, following grave concerns from the owners that the MRT project which runs underground through the famous heritage-rich Chinatown in Jalan Petaling, would bring about negative impact. The premises owners, among others, had urged the government to realign the MRT track and opposed the land acquisition in that area. They were also concerned about the short notice issued by the Land Office on land acquisition.
One of the representatives at the dialogue, Judy Tan, proprietress of the 70-year-old Lok Ann Hotel, said the owners' losses incurred from the projects were not just monetary. She said the area was also a heritage site that represented the identity of the Chinese in the country. "We are willing to be evacuated temporarily, but we are not willing to give up our land," Tan told reporters later.
Another affected owner, Daniel Wong, who has been operating a souvenir retail and wholesale business in the area for more than 20 years, said the area was already well-connected by the rail systems.
There are two LRT stations, namely Pasar Rakyat (Ampang Line) and Pasar Seni (Kelana Jaya Line), and a monorail (Maharajalela station) nearby. -- Bernama
Friday August 19, 2011
LAND Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said he was willing to talk and listen to anyone regarding the My Rapid Transit (MRT) project.
Syed Hamid said his job in SPAD was to listen and take into account the feedback during the public display of the plan.
“We have submitted the feedback to the Prime Minister and he has given his approval,’’ Syed Hamid said.
As far as possible they had made sure that historical and heritage sites were not affected and the public must also realise that the project was for their convenience, Syed Hamid told reporters after handing over prizes to winners of the MRT logo contest at the SPAD office yesterday.
“There was a lot of interaction with the public during the three-month display period and we listened to what they had to say,’’ he added.
Syed Hamid said he had received feedback from Jalan Sultan traders.
“We cannot say if there is going to be a realigment of the MRT in Jalan Sultan. As a commission we will hear what the traders have to say and we will inform them how the process and decisions were made,’’ he added.
Monday August 22, 2011
Traders along Jalan Sultan who are affected by the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project will have a dialogue with Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar tomorrow.
The delegation, led by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, would also submit a memorandum to Syed Hamid.
Dr Chua, who disclosed this yesterday, said: “The traders understand the benefit of having the MRT system, but they need a better solution from the authorities so as to minimise the losses they have to bear.”
In another development, Dr Chua said he would take halal food manufacturers and exporters to meet Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who is in charge of religious affairs, to discuss the rules and regulations on producing halal food.
This meeting came about after complaints from industry players that the rules imposed by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) were too strict, he said.
Earlier, Dr Chua, who opened the Xiang Lian Youth Association Malaysia’s annual general meeting, urged Chinese-based youth non-governmental organisations to interact more with their non-Chinese counterparts in a bid to promote better understanding of racial harmony and other issues.
“Racial harmony is very fragile and easily jeopardised, hence, Chinese youth NGOs should play an important role in enhancing interaction with other non-Chinese groups to improve racial harmony,” he stressed.
Tuesday August 23, 2011
31 buildings near Jalan Sultan will not make way for the construction of the Klang Valley MY Rapid Transit (MRT) project.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the shops would remain during the construction period of the project.
He said the location would retain its Chinatown identity and would be maintained as an important tourist and historical landmark in the city.
Dr Chua announced the breakthrough solution after a closed-door dialogue with five representatives of the affected 31 owners, SPAD (Land and Public Transport Commission) chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, SPAD chief executive officer Mohd Nur Ismal Kamal and Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad officials, at Wisma MCA here yesterday.
"We have reached an agreement and understanding with the government. The government will proceed with the MRT project by acquiring the land beneath the affected shops for the underground tunnels on condition that buildings affected by the tunnelling will be strengthened."
Dr Chua said Prasana would take six months to complete the tunnel construction and only those affected need to be evacuated.
"After that, it will be business as usual. This way, the Chinatown identity will be maintained.
"I thank the 31 affected owners, SPAD, Prasana and representatives of traders of Jalan Sultan for their cooperation to reach the agreement for the good of both parties."
Lee Shan Too, president of the Yen Keng Benevolent Society, one of the affected properties, said they were happy that the government only needed to acquire 30.5m of land beneath the shops for construction of the tunnels.
Lee said details of the compensation for the six-month evacuation and costs had yet to be discussed.
Another owner, Thomas Tan of the historical Lok Ann Hotel, said it was a win-win situation, adding that they "accepted in principle" the agreement reached yesterday.
The 31 owners at Jalan Sultan had voiced their unhappiness when the MRT project sought to acquire their buildings and land for the project.
Read more: 31 shops in Chinatown spared http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/24spa/Article/index_html#ixzz1WE7CD3J0
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