SHAH ALAM: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali sees no issue with the "purportedly high" land premium charges on plots meant for two fire stations, as nominal fees are imposed only on schools and hospitals.
Azmin said this has been explained to the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department director Azmi Osman on Tuesday.
"I have met with the new state department director, who paid a courtesy call on me along with some of his senior officers. I have already explained to them. They understood that there is no issue because the circular that was issued by the Federal (government) had clearly stated that the nominal premium is imposed only on schools and hospitals," he said when met during the Shah Alam City Council Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations held at the Shah Alam stadium today.
On June 21, Azmin's office released a statement saying that a premium charge of one fourth of the market price is charged to facilities such as fire stations following a decision made by the Selangor executive council meeting on Sept 24, 1997 and a circular issued by the Selangor Land and Mines Department the same year.
The rate was determined in line with the decision by the National Land Council for all state governments to use the premium charges that had been agreed upon.
A premium charge of RM1,000 is imposed on the construction of schools following a decision made by the council in a meeting on April 25, 1997 and a circular by the Federal Land and Minerals director-general the same year.
The statement said that any policy made by the council must be adhered to and according to Article 83 of the Federal Constitution, the federal government must discuss acquisition of land with the state government.
Azmin also suggested that the premium was not a matter of concern but rather, the federal government lacked the funds to build the two fire stations in Setia Alam, here, and Bukit Rahman Putra in Sungai Buloh.
"The department understands that they have available land bank but cannot develop (the fire stations) as the federal (government) does not have the budget," added Azmin.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar had reportedly said the ministry will appeal to the state government to bring down the premium charges, which will then led to the lower cost of building the fire stations.
He said this was to ensure the projects could be completed in time for the benefit of the people.
Noh said a premium charge of RM500,000 was reasonable compared to the RM5 million and RM2.4 million for the Setia Alam and Bukit Rahman Putra plots.