The Putra Bus Terminal was sold to Umno many years ago, according to Kuala Lumpur mayor Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz.

"We sold it to Umno. I don't have the (details) but I am very sure it was sold to Umno not last year, but many years ago.

"I think it was about RM300 million-plus. I'm not so sure about that. But anyway, the building is quite old," Mohd Amin told a press conference today.

He was speaking to reporters after the hosting the 47th Enforcer’s Day at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) headquarters.

The Putra Bus Terminal will be part of the Putra World Trade Centre redevelopment project. The terminal will be replaced with a 70-storey office and hotel tower.

The project was announced by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak two days ago.

This prompted queries from several opposition MPs, including Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, who questioned how a public building became Umno's property.

"As far as I know, the plot of land is now being used as a parking lot and is owned by DBKL. But now it ‘magically’ became a new Umno property, with works to commence immediately.

"People can't help but wonder what channels did Umno use to obtain the land for development, and whether there is political, commercial, or official pressure to seize a piece of public property?" Tan said in a statement yesterday.

Stop-work order

Asked about the collapse of a pedestrian walkway next to Mid Valley Megamall yesterday, Mohd Amin said DBKL was only involved in the planning approval for the project.

He said DBKL would not incur any losses as a result of the incident, which has reportedly killed one person, because the project was part of the developer SP Setia Bhd’s corporate-social responsibility initiatives.

This was despite DBKL holding a 20 percent stake in the KL Eco City project, with the remainder held by SP Setia.

The pedestrian bridge, which was nearly completed, was supposed to connect the ongoing KL Eco City project with the Gardens shopping mall at Mid Valley City.

Mohd Amin added that DBKL has issued a stop work order on the construction of the bridge, although the developer is allowed to clear the debris and proceed with the rest of the project.

The incident would be investigated by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (Dosh) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), he said, and this may take some time.

Discount on traffic fines

At the press conference today, Mohd Amin also announced discounted compound rates for traffic offences in the city.

Summonses issued for traffic offences from 2007 to 2011 are offered a compound of RM10, starting today, while summonses from 2012 to 2014 are offered a compound of RM20.

Summonses issued from 2015 onwards would be offered a compound of RM30. The offer lasts until Feb 28 next year.

Mohd Amin warned that stern action would be taken against traffic offenders, including the clamping of their vehicles. Those with arrears would also face blacklisting in the Road Transport Department’s database as well as legal action.

"Firstly, Kuala Lumpur residents have no fear of the law; secondly they have no respect for the law. These are Kuala Lumpur residents, as compared to those in Singapore and Europe.

"So now we'd take a bit of stern action by clamping and all that. We have to keep improving until they respect the law,” he said.