Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim stole the limelight today for all the wrong reasons, as confusion arose over his reference to the controversial 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower proposal.

This morning, during Question time in the state assembly, Khalid had said that there is a need for the state government to support the development of skyscrapers, such as the 100-storey tower, to spur economic growth.

In the afternoon, however, he clarified that he did not say that he supports the tower development, but was instead calling for a debate on the need for such a mega-project.

NONE "As a joint effort to develop Malaysia, the Selangor government has agreed to work together (with the federal government) to plan and implement the Greater Kuala Lumpur and Klang Valley redevelopment plan,” he told a press conference during a break in the proceedings.

“In my statement, I said there is also the debate on the 100-storey building. We need to debate the need and feasibility of developing this 100-storey building. (I did) not support it as (was) reported... I support the Greater KL and Klang Valley plan.”

Khalid said he has yet to see the details of the Warisan Merdeka tower project, stressing that it is this lack of information that makes it necessary to bring the matter up for debate.

“If it is just for a building’s sake, I will not accept it. There must be a very good reason why you want to build such a huge development in the area... it’s a business proposal, that’s why I want it to be debated," he stressed.

“I have not seen the facts and figures from PNB. I’m an ex-PNB man and by PNB standards, they should already have their facts and figures. If not, it would be a shame on PNB because this is not a small project.”

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Khalid had earlier told the state assembly that it makes sense for Selangor to support the federal government’s proposed Greater Kuala Lumpur redevelopment plan, which he said includes the 100-storey tower.

azlan "There is intense debate in Parliament on the need to develop skyscrapers, but we need to support such projects because it spurs economic growth," he said.

Khalid noted that both he and the state secretary are part of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit committee on the Greater KL plan.

"We will conduct town hall sessions with the local authorities to explain to the rakyat the plans that were studied by the federal government," he added.

azlan Soon after he made the statement, Khalid posted the following comment on his Facebook, "Selangor is ready to work with the Federal Territories in the development of Klang Valley, but it will not support mega-projects such as the Menara Warisan Merdeka.