Soi Lek, not everyone is a politician like you who read newspaper daily, ok

Soi Lek to set up SPAD meeting for Chinatown traders

By Melissa Chi

August 16, 2011

Chua speaking to tenants and shop owners after the press conference. — Picture by Jack Ooi

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek promised Chinatown traders today a meeting with Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to push for a realignment of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (KVMRT).

The MCA president met with six of the 31 traders and shop owners who were served the acquisition orders less than a month ago, here at his party’s headquarters.

He also asked the traders to come up with a memorandum with their concerns to hand over the SPAD.

Dr Chua said the first option is to push for a realignment of the tunnel track.

The second to ensure the traders and shop owners get first priority to back in after the MRT project related development in the area is completed. Factored too is the time needed for them to move out.

“I understand for such businesses to move in such a short notice, it could affect their income,” he said.

Dr Chua also suggested the traders to choose three representatives to meet with SPAD.

Choy Foong Meng, 55, a tenant on Jalan Sultan,said she was only served the acquisition order on August 11, the day Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (SPNB) briefed traders, and only when she enquired.

The hearing date with the land office commissioner was yesterday and she was given two weeks to come up with the land valuation report and list down losses that will incur if she had to move her business.

“I hope to get at least two months extension. The land office said it is within their power to do so and they said okay but they told me it was Prasarana who said no,” she said.

SPNB, the owner of the KVMRT project had said it expects to complete the Jalan Sultan land acquisition exercise in four to six months despite strong opposition from the Chinatown community, who say it is a heritage area.

The Malaysian Insider had previously reported that the traders and shop owners were unhappy with the late notice and the rush for the land acquisition.

Chua admitted that Chinatown is a tourist attraction and it is unique because it reflects the Chinese culture but he had also defended the mega project.

“If we do not overcome this problem (traffic jam), in five years time, the whole of KL will be worse off than Bangkok,” he said.

Dr Chua added that during an economic council meeting yesterday chaired by the prime minister, he said the SPAD chief executive officer agreed to look into whether they can build the track without acquiring the land there.

Choy Foong Meng (left) and Judy Tan voicing their concerns. — Picture by Jack Ooi

Judy Tan, 50, whose family owns Hotel Lok Ann, said the SPAD and Prasarana should make public their surveys and studies of the project, particularly on properties that they plan to acquire.

“I don’t run SPAD. Some people just don’t bother to read newspapers you see. There was adequate publicity, public display for three months, I don’t know why you all missed it,” Chua said in response.

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I wonder if Judy Tan felt like giving Soi Lek a slap on his face.

Pity Judy.

I'm sure being the owner of a hotel, she is a very busy lady and certainly, not a busybody yet Soi Lek had the cheek to say that some people just don't bother to read newspapers.