Some details about the deal involving the 20 Pykett Avenue building, whose demolition over the weekend caught the MPPP by surprise.
In December 2009, the Mah Sing board announced to Bursa Malaysia that its subsidiary Klassik Tropika had entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire the 3.4-acre freehold property from Khaw Bian Cheng Sdn Bhd for RM38 million. There were two private caveats on the land.
Khaw Bian Cheng Sdn Bhd was supposed to transfer the land free from all encumbrances and with vacant possession. (I guess you could say it is now ‘vacant possession’.)
Mah Sing had described the structure on the land as a “dilapidated unoccupied small bungalow”.
The structure was demolished over the weekend, pre-empting the MPPP. The Council had wanted to assess the site, in view of neighbouring residents’ objections. The project had not yet been given planning approval.
Mah Sing had intended work on the luxury condo project to begin in the second half of 2010.
Actual this building has no historical or heritage value. I don`t understand why Anil wants to keep bring it up.
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Because it pre-empted the MPPP from following its due process; it was about to assess the site following objections from the neighbours, and the building was demolished before the project could get planning approval.
Have a look at a Chinese press report here:
http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2010/07/28/3.html
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…Are you a Certified Heritage Expert?
If you are, please show us your certification.
if youa are not, who are you to tell us that the house has no heritage/historical value, machai?
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Indeed as a ex Penangite, no colonial building in any condition should be demolished. Bring back “Old Penang”.
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Yang, don’t pick on the messenger, pick on what is the the issue is for the community not your new found political affliance. You think you are the only one matters? Where have been all this while, who the hell are you to decide whether the building has historical value or not? Pleaselah brother/sister, you want DAP to be another UMNO? Let the messenger voice his concern for the community at large, then it is up to us the people to decide, decipher and see how the community benefits not just the run around that we are so akin to whether it is UMNO or PAKATAN. Please grow up for what is the truth and reality for once for the community without the typical semua tahu.
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Who decides whether “this building has no historical or heritage value?” The developer decides that, or some other authority ?
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Please read
http://www.ipsofactoj.com/appeal/2005/Part4/app2005(4)-012.htm
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It’s a very tricky question for owners, heritage lovers and state gomen concerning buildings that look heritage and there are many in Penang.
Q: What looks heritage may not be shared the same in others’ opinion.
Q: What is the value of a heritage building when market forces dictate its survival destiny.
Q: What adequate incentives are there for upkeeping heritage buildings in its originality so that owners are not tempted to ‘sell off’ his heritage properties. Expecting altruism in owners’ responsibility and sacrifice for architectural heritage is not realistic. Neither will by-laws and enforcement work 100%.
Where there are money talking, anything goes! Malaysia Boleh!
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Apart from the question of heritage, which seems to distract us, the demolition approval from MPPP was not obtained yet, the planning permission was no approved, etc…..hence work cannot start yet!!! In fact, feeedback from residents nearby is still being obtained.
So, this is a blatant disregard of the law of the land. it looks like $$$ can selesai all(?)
This is all in the hands of the LGE gomen.
Why is PHT, and the other NGOs so quiet? Later scared no Datukship(?)
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MalaysianinNewYork
Well said and spot on!!
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Dear YB Low,
The said building was illegally destroyed by the owner.
Yes, blatant disregard for the law of the land and the rascal is obviously the owner.
Why are you blaming the state government for this?…
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He destroyed the building so that the assessment later on becomes totally useless. This is in total disregard for the law, and the owner is probably rich and preparing his money to pay the fine as we speak.
Is a custodial sentence possible?
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To teach them a lesson is to :-
1. make them rebuild the bungalow that was illegally demolished.
2. No planning permission approval from MPPP for the next 20 years.
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Custodial sentence is not going to scare them as they can transfer the land from 1 company to the other and all the Directors can be people who for a price will spend the next 2 years in gaol.
This makes all of our Heritage buildings in zone 1 not safe at all. In time the land price would have appreciated, which will make the demolition of the building lucrative enough.
The developers will do their maths and pass on the costs to the new buyers of their projects.
Please all think long term.
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MPPP, you need to set a precedent or else all buildings in Heritage zone is not safe.
YDP Patiyah Please take action.
hiyah@mppp.gov.my
Readers if you feel the need do email the YDP.
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Penangites from the middle and lower income group will soon have to move to the main land to buy any affordable houses. Maybe in Baling, Changkat Jering, Yen etc
A landed terrace house has reached the RM1million mark and just think if you are earning RM3,000 per month, how are you going own a decent roof over your head.
Public housing are hard to come by and now leaving to it to all private developers, it profits, higher profits and higher higher profits, to them who cares!
What has happen to a ruling that all developers are suppose to develop a percentage of low cost housing for their each development project. Have this ruling being flushed down into the toilet?
I forsee, Penang will be reserve for the super rich in the near future unless you already have a house which was bought before the 90′s. The future generations, sorry lah!
By the way, a single storey terrace in Sungai Nibong in Taman Saw Kit which was priced at RM18K in the 70′s is worth RM350K with land area of 1,400sq ft but if you sell it, what can you buy now in Penang? A 900 sq ft apartment with RM200-300 monthly (which cost more than those days paying for the housing loan) maintenance fee that will increase over the years, mati kudasai!
The Peang Government has to do a repair job to put things right into place again due the precedence committed by the previous BN under KTK where developers got away with a mere slap on the hand for taking down heritage bulidings.
Is there any future for the Penangites to own an affordable roof over their head in Peang? The Penang government needs to learn from Singapore HDB, how they manage their public housing as both are islands and with limited land available.
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We just have to work harder
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Todays STAR has an article on this on Page N24
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