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SHAH ALAM – The Selangor Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI Selangor) has – for now – taken an enigmatic stance over a leaked letter that has fuelled much suspicion surrounding the controversy enveloping the Shah Alam Sports Complex project.
In response to an inquiry about the letter, allegedly penned by one of the competing companies that had vied for the project's tender, MBI Selangor neither confirmed nor denied the missive that highlighted the peculiarities of the tender process.
"We will soon update members of the media and the public on the latest development of the project. Until then, we appreciate your patience and understanding regarding this matter," read MBI Selangor's email to Sinar Daily.
The letter, addressed to Head of Governance (Integrity & Governance Department) Anas Sulaiman, at MBI Selangor, casts an unfavourable light on the fact that the project's winning contractor failed to meet essential conditions mandated by both the company and the Selangor government.
"As recently publicised, MBI Selangor's chosen JV [joint venture] partner's proposal brazenly contradicts MBI's own RFP [request for proposal] document," read the letter dated March 27, 2023.
Examples of the supposed contradictions of the mandatory RFP requirements were: (1) the state government will not fund the project in any way; (2) all available facilities therein are to be perpetuated; and (3) there will be no option for the proposal of land swap for any new developments, and only proposals for infill (real estate) development will be considered.
The contentious letter further highlighted that these requirements were contradicted when MBI revealed that the chosen JV partner's proposal entailed the land swap of state-owned land to fund the development proposal and the demolition of existing facilities.
"The Rakyat is due an explanation on how such an estimated RM787 million non-compliant proposal could even be shortlisted, let alone be selected, while not fulfilling MBI's own mandatory requirements.
"We trust that MBI wholly appreciates us bringing to light these anomalies and irregularities to continuously assist MBI and the state government in establishing the highest standards of governance in your sworn servitude to the Rakyat," read the letter.
The Shah Alam Sports Complex project had previously garnered notoriety after consistent criticism from the Green Party, which called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to intervene and investigate the mega-project initiated by the Selangor government.
In a statement on April 3, party secretary Abdul Razak Ismail detailed the peculiar escalation of costs, which were initially earmarked at RM196 million but had ballooned to up to RM1.5 billion.
"At first, the Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, proposed the repair and refurbishment of the Shah Alam and Indoor Malawati Stadiums, costing RM787 million, while the State Works Department quoted a cost of only RM196 million.
“However, a few months later the plan was changed to that of the demolition of the existing stadiums and the construction of its new successor which was smaller than the current one,” Razak explained.
For comparison, the current Shah Alam Stadium can house 80,000 spectators whereas the proposed new stadium – in which its concept model was put for public viewing in February – can only cater to a capacity of 35,000 spectators.
