MKLSB, Hydroshoppe deny 'poor condition' of KL Tower

Summary

• Former KL Tower operator Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB) and Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd deny claims they were operating “illegally” and poorly maintained various facilities and structures in the premises.

• MKLSB managing director Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak points out that the Communications Ministry’s itself gave them a 100 percent mark for meeting all contractual obligations.

• Both firms have taken committal proceedings against those involved in the “forcible takeover”.

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Former KL Tower operator Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB) and Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd have denied claims they had been operating “illegally” and poorly maintaining various facilities and structures on the premises.

MKLSB managing director Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak Shaikh said this in response to Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who earlier today, defended the federal lands commissioner’s move to enforce an eviction against the company.

“MKLSB and Hydroshoppe deny any allegations that we are operating illegally, which allegedly led to the forced eviction and seizure of the Menara Kuala Lumpur premises late last night.

“We also deny the claim that the concession transfer was carried out due to our company’s failure in managing the operations of Menara Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Previously, the Communications Ministry announced that KL Tower would be temporarily closed to visitors starting today to enforce the takeover.

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.

Fahmi said the temporary closure is to allow for maintenance and repair works, as there are facilities and structures in poor condition.

100pct progress

Hamid, however, said that based on the performance report of the tenderer issued by the Communications Ministry’s principal assistant secretary - MKLSB and Hydroshoppe achieved 100 percent progress in the works, fully meeting all contractual obligations.

“We would like to emphasise that the public notice declaring the closure of KL Tower for maintenance works is untrue.

“In reality, the actual action taken was a forced eviction against us and the takeover of Menara Kuala Lumpur’s operations through an operation carried out by the Communications Ministry, the federal lands commissioner, the police, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) late last night,” he claimed.

Earlier today, lawyers acting for MKLSB and Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd also announced that they have been instructed to initiate committal proceedings against those involved in the “forcible takeover”.

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

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