Govt Does Not Take Sides In KL Tower Concession Takeover Dispute
GENERAL
JOHOR BAHRU, April 21 (Bernama) -- The government does not take sides in the dispute involving the Kuala Lumpur Tower (KL Tower) concession takeover, according to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
In fact, Fahmi, who is the Unity Government spokesperson, said the eviction notice issued by the Federal Land Commissioner should not be seen as an act of oppression, but rather a lawful procedure grounded in legal principles.
He said that the matter is currently undergoing legal proceedings in court, and urged all parties to allow due process to take its course.
'The actions taken are in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
'KL Tower is fully owned by the government, and the Federal Land Commissioner acts within the bounds of the law in light of several pertinent issues,' he told reporters after visiting the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) at Taman Sri Skudai here today.
Fahmi said this in response to questions regarding the MADANI Government's decision, through his ministry, to temporarily close KL Tower to allow the new management to carry out necessary maintenance and upgrades to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors.
In an earlier statement, the ministry announced that effective April 1, the operations, management, and maintenance of KL Tower have been officially taken over by the new concessionaire, LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd (LSHSM).
As such, the occupation of the KL Tower site by its past concessionaire, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB), after March 31, is unlawful.
Following that, two eviction notices were issued by the Federal Land Commissioner to MKLSB via letters dated April 3 and 9.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
National Journalists' Day 2025 to focus on AI and ethics
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Journalists' Day (Hawana) 2025 celebration, to celebrate the contributions of media practitioners to the country, will kick off today at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL). Organised by the Communications Ministry and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), the fifth edition of Hawana which runs until Sunday is themed 'Journalism in the New Era: Embracing AI, Safeguarding Ethics'. The celebration will start with the Hawana 2025 Carnival, which will take place at the Sunway Putra Mall and launched by Communications Ministry's deputy secretary-general (Telecommunications Infrastructure) Mano Verabathran. There will be 20 exhibition booths including those by Bernama TV, Bernama Radio, Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Astro, Media Prima Bhd, The New Straits Times Press Bhd, Media Selangor Sdn Bhd, TV Al-Hijrah, Vanakkam Malaysia, MYTV, Information Department (JaPen), and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Bernama reported. Several private companies such as UDA Holdings Bhd, MK Curtain, travel company and the See Hua Group are also participating in the Hawana 2025 Carnival, which aims to attract 5,000 visitors. Meanwhile, the Hawana 2025 Media Forum will take place today at the Tun Hussein Onn Hall, WTCKL, at 9am, with the topic 'Malaysian Media Council: Regulator or Media Protector?' before continuing with a technology sharing session titled 'AI & Media: Tool, Threat or Opportunity?' The forum, co-organised by the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI), also serves as a platform for the protem committee of the Malaysian Media Council to present their views on the future of the media following the passing of the Malaysian Media Council (MMC) Bill 2024. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will launch Hawana 2025 together with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching. Also expected to attend are Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, who is also Hawana 2025 project director, as well as the top management of media companies in the country. This year's Hawana celebration will also witness the presentation of the Hawana 2025 Award and Hawana 2025 Special Award to individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of journalism. Hawana 2025 continues throughout the year with media sports events that highlight traditional elements and a series of tours to premier polytechnics in Selangor, Perak and Johor. May 29 was gazetted as National Journalists' Day in conjunction with the publication of the first edition of the Utusan Melayu newspaper on May 29, 1939, to celebrate the contributions of industry players who serve as a medium for shaping an informed society.


Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
‘Sabah for Sabahans': State polls will test strength of local-first sentiment, say analysts
Sabah-based parties, including GRS and Warisan, are stepping up their push for greater autonomy, emphasising their grassroots focus ahead of the state's increasingly competitive election. — Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU (June 13): As Sabah heads into its 17th state election (PRN17), political tensions are mounting, with signs pointing toward a contest that may pit state-based parties against the country's major national coalitions. The rallying cry 'Sabah for Sabahans' is gaining renewed momentum as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) — the ruling state coalition — weighs its next move amid shifting alliances and growing questions about federal influence in state affairs. Sabahan-first politics In recent years, Sabah-based parties — including GRS components Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), as well as opposition party Warisan — have increasingly positioned themselves as defenders of state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). GRS's key component party Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah is largely made up of Umno-turned-Bersatu leaders who left their former party for a more local platform. They argue that only homegrown parties truly understand the state's needs and aspirations — and are best placed to stand firm against federal dominance. Universiti Teknologi Mara's Tony Paridi Bagang said a contest between state-based and national parties would offer a clear campaign narrative — state rights versus federal funding and stability. 'GRS going solo will be interesting; it's a test of GRS as a government, and as a fully local alliance, and at the same time will see how local parties in national coalitions, like PBRS and Upko, what their influence will be like now,' he said. 'It's still a good way to see whether the growing local sentiments can translate into votes. 'Just contesting on their own is the start of a change in narrative for Sabah politics and if they win, it will be even more meaningful — they will gain a lot more leverage and have better bargaining power,' he added. Political analyst Bridget Welsh agreed that this local-first approach has merit, as the political current appears to favour a 'Sabah bloc' — though much will still depend on how alliances are configured. 'Anti-federal (especially anti-Umno) sentiments are currently strong,' she said. Coalition talks in limbo The local-first sentiment has also been further fuelled by Sarawak's recent success in securing greater control over its oil and gas resources. Many Sabahans have been asking: 'If Sarawak can do it, why not us?' Despite strong calls from within GRS's component parties to contest the election independently, Chief Minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor initially indicated keenness to continuing cooperation with current state government partner Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH). However, his position was shaken when Sabah PH announced an election partnership with Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) — its former allies turned opposition. The two national coalitions described the move as a rational step to ensure political stability and preserve good relations between state and federal governments. In response, Hajiji swiftly issued a statement saying GRS was ready to contest the election on its own if Sabah PH proceeded with the alliance. Prime Minister and PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later responded by saying that GRS would be included in the election coalition. Since then, Hajiji has maintained that GRS remains open to discussions — but has stressed that a Sabah-based party must lead the state government. No formal talks have taken place between the two sides. One of the biggest obstacles in the way of this three-way alliance is Sabah BN chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, who has dismissed any possibility of working with GRS until after the election, citing past 'betrayals' and broken promises from the previous state election. Autonomy push may meet resistance Bagang said there could be risks if GRS chooses to go it alone, as the coalition may come under increased pressure. He noted that if GRS were to contest on its own, it might face heightened political pressure — including 'money politics' as well as the influence of 'media and political machinery'. He added that the recent whistleblowing scandal involving mining licences is likely to resurface and affect GRS and its leadership. The Madani factor Contrary to the view that GRS may go it alone, Universiti Malaysia Sabah senior lecturer Lee Kuok Tiung said that GRS is more likely to work with PH and BN — despite its strained relationship with the latter. 'I believe GRS will want to maintain its current set-up with PH. The only problem is that they don't get along with BN but they will find a way or just head into a collision course in certain seats,' he said. 'GRS will have a lot to gain by contesting independently but the prime minister has something else in mind. 'He also has to maintain good relations with Zahid and both will still need a local partner at the end of the day and want to work with GRS,' he added. Bagang agreed that while many Sabahans were keen to see if the local-first sentiment was more than just a slogan, he said it would be 'safer' if the current dynamic is maintained. 'We need to consider the federal factor because our political dynamic is not like Sarawak, whose local coalition is strongly established,' he said. 'I think, with the undercurrent issues, sentiments, GRS may still stick with PH-BN but we'll see some overlapping in their seats,' he added. With the growing fragmentation among parties potentially leading to multi-cornered fights in many seats, split votes may give unexpected advantages to some blocs. Analysts predict that this could result in a hung assembly — or even a repeat of the chaotic post-election realignments that followed the 2020 polls. If the election becomes a contest between local versus national parties, the outcome could reshape Sabah's political landscape and redefine its federal-state relations. With the stakes so high, all eyes are now on the alliances, manifestos, and the voters' sentiments. — Malay Mail GRS hajiji noor lead Sabah for Sabahans

The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Record deals since Merdeka
Engaging the youth: Anwar greeting students at the 2025 National TVET Day celebration in MITC, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. — Bernama MELAKA: Malaysia has approved investments amounting to RM89.8bil in the first quarter of this year, the largest amount for this time period since Merdeka, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister said that this figure was a 3.7% increase compared to the same period last year, signalling strong investor confidence even as global supply chains and investments are being affected by tariffs imposed by the United States. 'This figure also demonstrates that our economy remains resilient and competitive despite global turbulence and economic uncertainty, including the imposition of tariffs by the United States,' he said during his keynote address at the 2025 National TVET Day celebration held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh yesterday. Anwar also revealed that a major US-based chip manufacturer had recently expressed interest in investing RM10bil in Malaysia. 'In principle, we have agreed to the proposal, but we have asked the American company to hold until July 9 when President Trump is expected to finalise the new tariff rates,' he said. 'However, the investors indicated they are still keen to proceed, confident that Malaysia will not be significantly affected by the tariffs.' Anwar said that the company had requested expedited approval to begin operations in the country. 'Beyond political stability, foreign investors have also been impressed by the professionalism and discipline of our local workforce. 'This sentiment was echoed in a recent meeting with Google, where they acknowledged that Malaysia's talent pool is among the best in Asia in terms of discipline and skill,' he added. Anwar said the recent development also reinforces the fact that the government's clear policies, along with political stability, continue to position Malaysia as an attractive destination for global investment.