KL Tower temporarily closed as govt enforces new concession takeover

Summary

• KL Tower to be temporarily closed to visitors from today as the government enforces a takeover of its management concession.

• Communications Ministry claims previous operator, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB), has been illegally occupying the premises since March 31.

KL Tower will be temporarily closed to visitors starting today as the government is enforcing a takeover of its management concession from a previous operator appointed during a past administration.

In a statement announcing the closure, the Communications Ministry stressed that the iconic tower belongs to the government and its operations, management, and maintenance have been taken over by LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd since April 1.

The ministry claimed that the previous operator, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB), has been illegally occupying the premises since March 31.

"In regard to this matter, the Federal Lands Commissioner has issued two notices to MKLSB to vacate the premises in letters dated April 3 and April 9.

"Thus, any business and operations that MKLSB have continued at the tower to date were done without the government's permission.

"For the safety and comfort of tower visitors, and to give ample time to its new management to carry out repair and uplifting works, the KL Tower will be temporarily closed.

"We will announce the KL Tower's reopening date in due time through various media channels," it said.

KL Tower was originally operated by MKLSB, which at conception was fully owned by Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM).

It had been the sole operator of KL Tower since 1996 under concession contracts from the government, which were renewed every 15 years.

However, in late 2022, TM sold all of its stake in MKLSB to Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd.

When the Madani administration came to power, it proceeded to terminate MKLSB's concession and opened a request for proposal.

In May last year, the concession was awarded to LSH Service Master.

LSH Service Master is a joint-venture vehicle between two companies, LSH Best Builders Sdn Bhd and Service Master (M) Sdn Bhd.

Hydroshoppe and MKLSB are suing the government for RM1 billion over the alleged wrongful termination of their concession.

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