Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing
LANGKAWI: Property developer Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing will submit a fresh proposal to the Kedah state government on his plan to develop the RM30 billion Langkawi New City project.
Located on 81 hectares of reclaimed land, it would be the biggest property development project in northern Peninsular Malaysia, he said.
“Whatever the state government requests we will comply, as we have done in the past with (previous) state governments,” he told reporters in response to Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir’s statement earlier yesterday that the state government had yet to receive any proposal on the project.
Mukhriz said a previous proposal submitted by Ting, when he was Menteri Besar between 2013 and 2016, was no longer valid as it was not followed with a deposit required for all mega projects in the state.
“From the state government’s point of view, the original proposal is no longer under consideration. Any new proposal will need to be submitted for the state government’s review,” he added.
However, Ting claimed that he had no knowledge of the requirement to furnish a deposit when submitting development proposals to the state government.
“I don’t know. This is a billion-dollar project and what deposit do they want? They should let the developer spend the money on the job and not to keep the deposit in the bank,” the 75-year-old entrepreneur said.
Mukhriz also said the government would not make it difficult for any party to invest and carry out development in the state, and it would give the necessary cooperation and assistance to ensure the success of any new venture.
“At the same time, we are taking a firm stand and require all developers to comply with all the conditions and guidelines on social, environmental and economic impacts.
“Although we are business- and investor-friendly, the impact on these three areas cannot be compromised,” he added. – Bernama