Phoong (seated) listening to the residents’ woes during their meetup at a restaurant in 88 Marketplace.
KOTA KINABALU (Mar 23): A group of residents in Austral Park near Luyang here have voiced their concerns over a purported mixed development plan near the 88 Marketplace commercial area.
They explained that when they bought their properties in the residential area many years ago, a nearby plot of land had been earmarked as a recreational and health activity area.
However, they are now claiming that the land has been converted to a commercial title with no prior announcement or signboards put up.
They only found out when machinery was brought in to clear land in the designated plot, which sits right beside the corner of 88 Marketplace.
The residents claimed that a mixed development including a 700-unit condominium is purportedly planned for the land.
“This area is already plagued by traffic jams with two schools nearby. Building a condominium will make the problem worse.
“The Sabah Housing and Town Development Board (LPPB) had promised us that the land would be developed as a recreational and sports area.
“So why was the land converted to a commercial title? They should build a recreational park instead to improve the people’s wellbeing.
“Most of us here are retired. We need a park to exercise and socialize to ease the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” they said.
State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Phoong Jin Zhe who came down to meet the residents, said he could not comment further as he was only made aware of the issue around two weeks ago.
He said he needs some time to gather information before stating his stance on the matter but assured that he will do everything in his capacity as a people’s representative to ensure the residents’ welfare is taken care of.
“I will write a letter to Mayor Datuk Noorliza Awang Alip to organise a dialogue between the residents, City Hall and related developers so we can resolve this problem,” said the Luyang assemblyman.
Historically, the land has undergone other controversies. It was originally planned to be developed as a People’s Housing Programme (PPR) project, which was officiated at a groundbreaking ceremony in 2013.
Then Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and Housing and former Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan had launched the programme.
With an expected cost of RM80 million and spanning 6.437 acres, the PPR project was set to provide 500 affordable homes by 2017, with other various facilities including a multipurpose hall, shops and parking lots.
The residents back then had rebelled against the project and took the matter to court, in which they claimed that the court had already given its ruling on the case.
However, it is uncertain what was the court case ruling as they did not provide the supporting documents at the meet-up with Phoong.