Selangor Cancels Batu Caves Condominium Project

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SHAH ALAM, 24 JAN: The controversy regarding the construction of the 26-storey condominium at Batu Caves has finally come to an end when the Selangor Government revoked the planning permission granted to real estate developers, Dolomite Properties.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that the decision was made in order to protect public safety and to preserve the environment.

The decision was made based on the report by the Independent Committee that met last Tuesday to review the development at Batu Caves and its surrounding areas.

“I thank them for the readiness to assist the State Government in finding long-term solutions for the issue of development at Batu Caves and its surrounding areas.

“At the meeting, the Town and Rural Planning Department presented in detail the status of the construction of structures and buildings at Batu Caves and its level of safety.

“After listening to the explanation, I decided for the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) to revoke the planning permission that has been granted to Dolomite Properties Sdn Bhd,” he said in a media statement.

In relation to the aforementioned, Abdul Khalid hopes that this decision will be positively received by all parties because it involves public safety.

According to him, the State Government will not compromise with any development project that could threaten the safety of the people.

“The State Government supports any development projects aimed for the well-being of the people, but it should be planned carefully, in accordance with the rules and does not endanger the safety of the people,” he said.

Prior to this, the State Government had appointed five professionals to join an independent committee to examine the project approval for the condominium construction project at Batu Caves and its surrounding areas.

The professionals are Klang District Dignitary, Datuk Setia Diraj Datuk Abdul Ghani Pateh; Neurosurgeon, Dr M Nachiappan; former Judicial Commissioner, Datuk Ranita Hussein; construction law specialist, Harbans Singh and Geology expert, Tan Boon Kong.

Prior to this, the Dolomite Park Avenue project by developer Dolomite Properties Sdn Bhd at Batu Caves had received strong opposition because the area is the focus place for Hindu worship.

According to the MPS meeting minutes, the project was approved in 2007, during the previous Umno-BN administration.

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