Abandoned Building: Not in the best interest of all parties
22/06/2007 NST By  TAN BENG SOOI, Chairman Pacific Mall Buyers Committee, Johor Baru .

I REFER to your report "Council waiting to be paid RM15m" (NST, June 16) and the statement by the Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Halimah Sadique that the Johor government is placing a caveat on 52 abandoned buildings.

It is most disappointing that the state government considers taxing the 52 buildings that are abandoned.

Firstly, it is shocking to know that there are so many abandoned buildings in Johor Baru.

Secondly, the state government should facilitate the rehabilitation of these buildings by waiving the assessment on buildings that can’t be used.

Thirdly, there was no attempt by politicians to look into this problem. There is also no legal protection for buyers of commercial space unlike residential properties.

At a time when the government is promoting the Iskandar Development Region (Iskandar), it should make it its priority that abandoned buildings such as Kemayan City, Pacific Mall, Lot 1, Castle Inn, etc, be completed and occupied.

What would potential investors think of Iskandar if they see so many abandoned buildings stripped of all the cables and metal parts?

About RM10 million was needed to build Pacific Mall and in 1999, it was abandoned. Today, the entire 25 storey-building’s copper and steel fittings have been stripped, including the escalators.

It would take RM55 million to restore the building.

Its location near the traffic police station did not deter thieves and this has been going on for nine years.

The government should consider compensating the owners for their losses.