There is no impropriety in MIC’s ownership of the land adjacent to the Tamil school in Bandar Utama, party secretary-general S Subramaniam claimed today.

dr s subramaniam interview 210308 01 He was responding to a report in the Sun about a controversy involving the land - apparently meant for the school and public amenities but ended up in MIC president S Samy Vellu’s name.

Subramaniam who is also human resources minister asserted that the application was made in 2000 and all procedures in securing the plot was “in accordance with the Constitution.”

"In addition, each of its trustees executed a ‘Pengakuan Penempatan’ addressed to the land office confirming that they (on behalf of MIC) as trustees were making the said application.

For the benefit of MIC

“As far as the MIC is concerned, the process met all proper procedures.

“At all times, the Petaling land office and Selangor state executive councillors knew the alienation was for the benefit of MIC,” Subramaniam stated.

Moreover, he said communication between MIC, the state’s executive councillors and land regulators clearly indicated that MIC would be the “proprietor” of the land.

“The premiums, rates and quit rent on the land were always paid by the MIC. The title deed for the land was issued in July 2005, some five years after the application was made,” he added.

The Petaling Land Office gave the Barisan Nasional party a 99-year lease to 12,141 sq metres of the land in 2005 - making it the largest recipient.

The newspaper report detailed that the 24,000 sq metre land was for both the school, SRJK (Tamil) Ephingam and other public amenities as intended by the area developer. The land was handed over by the developer to the state government for this purpose, however it was then procured by private parties - with MIC being one of them. The buyers have since developed the land for commercial purposes.

According to report in the Sun today, Samy Vellu said that RM3 million was paid years before deals were finalised and it was all done legally.

“The title was delivered to the MIC offices and kept in the custody of its property division which managed the property,” said Subramaniam.

Ploy to disparage Samy

Subramaniam also alluded that the reported facts were errors made by the respective land office and intended to vilify Samy Vellu.

“The recent press statements, to the effect that Samy Vellu is the beneficial owner of the said land, are untrue and calculated to disparage him.

samy vellu interview 160408 02 “These statements are made by persons associated with the present state government, purely for a political agenda,” said Subramaniam.

He highlighted the matter has been raised to the attention of the appropriate department and to the director general of Lands and Mines of Selangor.

“MIC is therefore taking steps to rectify the error in the endorsement of ownership on the title deed, under solicitor’s advice.

“The MIC president has never claimed ownership of the said land. In fact, the land has been disclosed as an asset of the MIC in all its audited accounts since 2000,” he emphasised.

“The media reports also suggest that the present state government may take steps to seize the land.

“In that event, the MIC will vigorously defend its rightful ownership of the said land,” said Subramaniam.