Plans for a resort where Batang Kali landslide happened shelved

Earlier plans to build a resort on the site of Malaysia's deadliest landslide, in Batang Kali, Selangor, have been shelved.

Malaysia Botanical Gardens Resort (MBGR) Sdn Bhd's owner Kong Hong Kong confirmed this when contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday.

"No more, our shareholders have long stopped doing it. It has come to an end," said Kong.

The declassified report on the landslide stated that the plans were approved in 2019 but the site was instead used for an organic farm-cum-campsite.

The incident, which killed 31 on Dec 16, 2022, happened on agricultural land held by MBGR on a 99-year lease.

The land, leased from the state agency Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS), borders a forest reserve.

Although the plan was to build a resort and botanical gardens, the land was instead used as an organic farm and a campsite, without the necessary approvals.

Majority shareholder

Malaysiakini's checks found Kong owns the majority of MBGR, which allowed the farm and campsite to operate there.

Kong is a well-known philanthropist, who also founded Nirvana Asia Group, the largest "integrated funeral services" provider in Malaysia.

Nirvana provided funeral services to the landslide victims, but at the time Father's Organic Farm denied it was linked to Nirvana.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Batang Kali landslide tragedy and the forensic report

MBGR has two shareholders, with the majority shareholder being Kong, holding about 68.2 percent of the shares.

However, through layers of companies, Kong effectively controls 96.4 percent of MBGR's shares.

For instance, MBGR's other major shareholder is Brilliant Rise Sdn Bhd (BRSB) holding 31.8 percent of the shares.

This company is controlled by Kong, who owns 48 percent in his name while another 40.3 percent is held by Harbourlife Sdn Bhd (HSB), where he holds almost 100 percent of shares.

His sons Kong Yew Foong and Kong Yew Lian own one share each of BRSB, while one Nazlan Khalid holds the remainder 11.4 percent. Yew Foong also owns a single share in HSB.

However, when contacted, Kong downplayed his position in MBGR and said he was only a "minor shareholder".

"I invested in dozens if not hundreds of companies. A little bit of shares here, a little bit there. I don't know the details."

'Calm down'

He further stated that since the government has declared the Dec 16 landslide a natural disaster, it should close its chapter in order to provide solace to the public and the families of the deceased.

"Let it settle down. Don't talk about it anymore. The families are unhappy, and it is also hard for them. We are also facing difficulties. I hope you media can calm down."

Kong also said that Nirwana group has no connection with Father's Organic Farm.

Yesterday, the government released the forensic report on the Dec 16 landslide. In the report, the investigators blame two triggers unrelated to human activity.

The two triggers were weaknesses in the subsurface, which was exacerbated by groundwater flow, and the position of the valley in between two steep slopes.

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