PAC interviews Mkini columnist in probe on govt, DBKL land deals
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today interviewed Malaysiakini columnist and veteran journalist R Nadeswaran in its inquiry into land dealings conducted under the government and the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL).
In a statement today, PAC chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said that Nadeswaran was interviewed as a witness, as part of the committee's examination of land development affairs overseen by the Federal Territories Department, the Department of Director-General of Lands and Mines, and DBKL.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
a day ago
- Malaysian Reserve
DBKL gazettes KL Local Plan 2040 to improve transparency, urban renewal
by Nurul Najmin Abu Bakar THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has officially gazetted the KL Local Plan 2040, effective on June 11, to enhance transparency and guide sustainable urban development. Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said the plan reflects a collective social contract to shape the city's future through balanced growth, inclusivity and sustainability. 'The Local Plan is not just a planning document, it is your plan, my plan and our plan,' she said during her keynote address at the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (REHDA) Institute forum titled 'Resilient Cities, Sustainable Futures: Transforming Urban Landscapes through Sustainable Renewal' on June 10. She said the plan incorporated 4,000 public feedback submissions out of a total of 28,000 received. Maimunah credited Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for urging that the plan be gazetted earlier, describing it as a rare intervention by the federal leadership in local urban planning. Anwar is scheduled to officially launch the plan on June 24. The plan identifies 139 sites across KL targeted for urban renewal. 'Urban renewal is like a medical check-up for a city every 15 to 30 years. It is not just about replacing old buildings, but about improving livability and infrastructure,' she said. She acknowledged that implementation will face challenges, particularly regarding strata management and the city's current maintenance practices. 'Our maintenance culture is still lacking, but we need scheduled and consistent upkeep of city assets,' she added. DBKL is also planning to make the Local Plan more accessible to the public, drawing inspiration from Singapore's Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) model. Maimunah stressed the critical role of cities in addressing both economic and climate challenges. 'Cities occupy only 2% of the Earth's surface, but generate 70% of waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and contribute 80% of global GDP,' she said. She said urbanisation should no longer be seen solely as a challenge, but also as an opportunity to drive innovation, economic growth and resilience. 'Our job is not only to make KL functional and efficient, but also to build a city that people are proud to call home,' she added.
Malaysiakini
a day ago
- Malaysiakini
The racial discount comedy
COMMENT | The Indian Muslim property discount is the funniest racial plan ever hatched in Malaysia. We've heard about having an Indian Muslim prime minister before, but even he didn't dare push for such a policy. Instead, it was the Penang state government that announced a 5 percent property discount for local Indian Muslims. One netizen cheekily asked in the Malaysiakini comments section, 'Will Tun M be entitled to this?' referring to former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The Indian Muslims of Penang are famous for their business skills. Many are doing very well as...
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Free Malaysia Today
DBKL to form task force ahead of Urban Renewal Act
Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif said DBKL will work with professionals to assist owners and developers who are interested in taking up redevelopment work under the Urban Renewal Act. PETALING JAYA : Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will set up a task force to guide stakeholders on urban redevelopment once the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) comes into effect, says Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif. She said the task force would study the proposed law and help DBKL support property owners involved in redevelopment projects, The Edge reported. 'This is to ensure DBKL is well prepared to assist property owners with matters regarding urban redevelopment,' she said during a forum organised by the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) Institute. 'We are here to facilitate … DBKL will also work with professionals to assist owners and developers who are interested in taking up the redevelopment work.' Maimunah stressed that while DBKL would play a supporting role, the initiative for redevelopment must come from property owners themselves. 'Urban development should be an owner-led initiative. Developers should be the last to step in,' she said. The proposed URA, spearheaded by the housing and local government ministry, aims to replace outdated legislation governing the redevelopment of ageing and dilapidated areas. However, the URA has sparked concern among civil society groups and opposition parties who argue that it could displace lower-income residents unable to afford redeveloped housing. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said the Act will not force property owners to give up their homes or change the ethnic makeup of neighbourhoods.
