Kota Kinabalu: A dialogue between members of Pekestar (Star City Buyers Association) and Sabah Urban Development Corporation (SUDC), the representative of Skyrich Development Sdn Bhd, was arranged by former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee to ensure the plights of the purchasers are protected.
SUDC Chief Executive Officer Afizal Aldin assured that the plights of the purchasers are not neglected, and the Sales & Purchase Agreements signed between SUDC and the purchasers are still legally binding, while Star City project is now renamed as “KK One”.
Replying to a question from a Pekestar member, he said SUDC would get into the details with Pekestar and other purchasers after Aidilfitri holidays.
“Even though the joint venture agreement has been terminated, due to the winding up of the previous developer, SUDC, as a government-linked company (GLC), has never forgotten its commitments to the purchasers.”
Afizal also promised that before any demolition (which was approved in December 2021) is carried out, he would need the consensus of all concerned parties, especially the Star City buyers.
He said SUDC’s policy at the moment is focused on reviving and resolving all existing sick or abandoned projects rather than looking for new projects.
He said this dialogue was a good start to settle any outstanding issues amicably and SUDC would keep abreast of the progress of this project with the purchasers.
The dialogue took place prior to Pekestar’s Annual General Meeting chaired by its President Philip Liew Kon Sung at the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce (KKCCC) meeting room, Saturday.
Yong, who is also a Nominated Assemblyman, is hopeful that the “KK One” project would be completed so that the 200 plus purchasers of the abandoned Star City will get back their rights and investments after almost 15 years of waiting in despair.
“The purchasers who comprise local residents have been suffering mental anguish and financial losses, including some losing their hard-earned savings in paying bank loan interests, ever since they committed to purchase units in the then Star City from 2007 to 2010.
“I have been informed that the ‘KK One’ project is a renewed commitment by SUDC to complete a commercial development on a prime location in the heart of Kota Kinabalu City,” he said.
He believed the completion of the “KK One” project would solve one of the biggest headaches of Kota Kinabalu City, spur the local economy and also remove an ugly sight of the now abandoned partially completed Star City.
Yong called on all government agencies and departments, including City Hall, to give their fullest cooperation to SUDC, which is under the purview of the Ministry of Industrial Development, so that the “KK One” project can be completed without obstacles.
Lawyer for Skyrich Development Sdn Bhd, Ryan Soo, said the company was not idling even though during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
“In fact, they succeeded in acquiring approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) in 2020 for a 56-storey tall building. The whole development plan was approved in 2021.
“Building plans submitted in April 2021 to City Hall is expected to get approved in mid-year 2022,” he said.
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