KL Tower: Hydroshoppe calls late-night presser over eviction fears

Summary

• Former KL Tower operator Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd fears eviction at midnight as the Communications Ministry reportedly affirmed a new concessionaire, LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd, will take over.

• Hydroshoppe calls this unlawful due to an ongoing court case.

• The company has called for an 11pm press conference to address the issue, amid Aidilfitri celebrations.

The former operator of Kuala Lumpur Tower has called for a late-night press conference tonight over fears that they could be evicted at the stroke of midnight.

This came after a letter was circulated online purporting that the Communications Ministry has affirmed LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd (LSHSM) will take over KL Tower’s management and operations as the new concession holder effective tomorrow.

Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd and its subsidiary Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB) said they believed that the police and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would move to evict them at the stroke of midnight, which they called an “abuse of power”.

“This is contrary to the ongoing court case and a violation of legal processes.

“As such, we are holding a press conference to explain the measures being taken against us, which we consider a challenge to the court’s authority,” it said in its media invitation.

The press conference is scheduled to take place at 11pm tonight, amid the first day of Aidilfitri celebrations.

In a separate press release earlier today, Hydroshoppe and MKLSB asserted that any takeover by LSHSM tomorrow is unlawful pending a court ruling.

“During this festive season, KL Tower is a key destination for both local and international tourists who wish to enjoy the breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur.

“Any action that may disrupt its operations could negatively affect the visitor experience and dampen the festive spirit,” said MKLSB managing director Abdul Hamid Shaikh in the statement.

Letter circulated

Earlier, a letter purportedly from the Communications Ministry was circulated online.

The letter - which is dated March 27 and addressed to Dang Wangi police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman - asserted that the ministry owns KL Tower.

“Effective April 1, 2025, the management of operations of KL tower will be fully implemented by the new concessionaire, namely LSHSM.

“The management period for the previous concessionaire, namely MKLSB, will end on March 31, 2025,” the purported letter stated.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Communications Ministry about the veracity of the letter and for comment. Comment has also been sought from the police and DBKL.

Unlawful termination

Hydroshoppe via its subsidiary MKLSB were engaged to operate the iconic landmark in 2022 but claimed the government had unlawfully terminated the agreement in November 2022.

The government awarded the concession to LSHSM in May last year, which is a joint-venture vehicle between two companies LSH Best Builders Sdn Bhd and Service Master (M) Sdn Bhd.

Hydroshoppe and MKLSB had sued the government and the new concessionaire for RM1 billion and sought a court declaration that the 2022 agreement is still valid and binding.

It also wants the court to affirm that they are still entitled to a 30-year concession from Dec 31, 2022, and the government had committed a breach of trust by awarding it to another entity.

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