KUALA LUMPUR: Seven plots of land, meant for building schools, a community centre and fire station in Bandar Utama in Damansara were sold to businessmen or given to political parties by the previous Selangor government.

The land, totalling four hectares and worth more than RM130 million, had been surrendered by a developer to the previous Barisan Nasional administration, which then sold it off, claimed Bukit Lanjan state assemblyman Elizabeth Wong Keat Ping.

Wong said she had referred the matter to the menteri besar who agreed to discuss it at the next state executive council meeting on Wednesday.

"We understand this is not confined to Bandar Utama. We are determined to put a stop to this sort of practice.

"Things have gotten so bad that in Kampung Sungai Ara, a condominium occupies an area allocated for a community centre that is badly needed by the 4,000 residents."
The land had been meant for schools, bus shelters, post office and a fire station.

A source from the Bandar Utama developer, Damansara Jaya Development Sdn Bhd, said the recipients of the seven plots had also distorted the township's planning.

"Unplanned shopping complexes and other commercial facilities have now sprung up in the township."

The source said the developer and property owners at the township were caught unawares as the development at the seven "handed out" plots, was sudden.

The source said similar cases where land allocated for public infrastructure had been sold to private owners had occurred in nearby townships.

"I have already requested state government documents pertaining to the distribution of the seven plots of land," said Wong.

It was learned that Gerakan is building its new headquarters on one of the seven plots in Bandar Utama 8 while the MIC had obtained another plot.

Selangor Gerakan chief Datuk Lam Weng Keong said he would issue a statement at a later date. He declined to elaborate.

The MIC could not be reached for comment.