KUCHING: A proposal has been submitted to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem expressing the interest of three companies to purchase Block 225 of Kuching North Land District in Batu Kawah for RM550 million.
The block, spanning a total of 267.15 acres, made headlines recently when the discussion on the sale and purchase agreement of the said land between the state government and a local developer was revealed to be only worth RM115 million.
Bandar Kuching MP and Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen said this during a press conference at DAP headquarters here yesterday, adding that the three separate companies would be willing to purchase the block at almost five times the offer made by the first developer.
The willingness to fork out RM550 million for the said land, however, could be met with some concerns with regard to the 30-day payment deadline for the whole purchase sum.
“For such a large amount, three months would be a more reasonable period for negotiations on the deal, instead of 30 days,” said Chong, who is also state DAP chairman.
According to him, it is rather unheard of in the commercial world for any land transaction involving half-billion ringgit to be closed within 30 days.
On another note, Chong said the state DAP had managed to collect 16,652 signatures for its petition to relook into the reduction of hours for Mandarin classes in Chinese medium schools under the Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013-2025).
“After 10 to 12 years, the Chinese medium schools would be no different than any other schools in the country, if the hours were to be cut off for Mandarin classes.”
The complete petition, Chong said, would be submitted to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Kuala Lumpur, which is currently dealing with all Chinese medium schools nationwide.
According to him, the NGO — which initiated the petition this year – targets to collect a million signatures before submitting it to the government.