The Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) is building its new headquarters costing RM42 million in Ampang Hulu, said its chairman, Rahim Thamby Chik.      

Called 'Graha Risda', he said the 28-storey building would be built on 0.2ha of 1.2ha land owned by Risda and it would take three years to complete.      

"The developer will acquire the rest of the land and build the headquarters at no cost to Risda," he said after the closing of the 17th Risda Games at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Johor Baharu today.      

Risda's office in Jalan Ampang will be relocated to the new headquarters when Graha Risda is completed while the old building will be rented out to its subsidiaries or private companies, he added.      

Risda is following the footsteps of Felda by having a new headquarters to boost its image, he said, adding that the new headquarters would be equipped with a 1,200-capacity hall and sports facilities.          

The groundbreaking ceremony of Risda Graha is expected to be held soon.      

- Bernama