Ex-KL Tower operators cry foul, claim cops won't probe report

Summary

• The former operators for KL Tower, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB) and Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd (HSB) have lodged a police report over alleged sabotage involving damaged property but claimed the latter would not be investigating it.

• The companies urge the authorities to investigate if there were malicious elements behind the damage to MKLSB-owned assets at the iconic landmark.

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The saga surrounding the KL Tower has taken another turn, with this time former operators Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB) and Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd (HSB) crying sabotage.

This comes after the companies lodged a police report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters yesterday, alleging damaged property when they were evicted by the authorities on Thursday.

However, they were informed today that the police would not be pursuing the matter further.

“After the report was filed, I was informed that the police would not be conducting further investigations,” said MKLSB managing director Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak Shaikh told Malaysiakini.

According to the police's response, no further investigations will be carried out after initial investigations found it to be a non-seizable offence.

The complainant was also instructed to refer the case to a magistrate, as stated in the procedure under Section 108(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Earlier today, Hamid urged the authorities to investigate if there were malicious elements behind the damage to MKLSB-owned assets at the iconic landmark following a recent seizure operation.

“We hope the police will carry out a thorough investigation to determine whether there was any deliberate act of sabotage against MKLSB’s assets.

“If the investigation confirms there was sabotage, then the necessary follow-up action should be taken in accordance with existing laws.

“Destroying or intentionally damaging MKLSB’s property is an unethical act and reflects unprofessional conduct that should not be condoned by any party,” he said in a statement.

Why the hurry?

Yesterday, MKLSB and HSB also questioned the actions of the federal lands commissioner, who allegedly entered the KL Tower premises to evict them and seize assets, despite the matter being brought before the court.

Hamid said the eviction was premature and claimed the status quo should have been maintained until the court delivers its verdict.

“No party should interfere with the status quo ahead of the hearing date,” he stressed.

Hamid also claimed there had been previous incidents where MKLSB staff were threatened for refusing to accept an offer from the new operator, LSHSM.

“There was also an earlier incident where MKLSB staff were threatened with injury after deciding not to accept an offer from LSHSM, as the offer did not meet the principle of ‘no less favourable’.”

Photos shared alongside the police report show damage to a rack in one of the offices, which was allegedly broken into.

MKLSB claimed that the break-in also led to the loss of personal items and a shattered glass panel.

On Thursday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil defended the federal lands commissioner’s move to enforce an eviction on the two companies.

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