GEORGE TOWN: The state government will get more information on the sale of the former residence of the first prime minister of Malaysia, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, in Pulau Tikus which has been put on the market for a whopping RM62 million.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state would obtain more information about the matter when asked for his comment today.
This came after some quarters urged the state to acquire the property for heritage purposes or turn it into a museum of sorts.
"Tunku is a national legend...(his residence is a) national asset that should be protected.
"We hope that the federal government will also take note, but meanwhile the state government will get more information and look into it," he said when met today.
Earlier today, the New Straits Times reported that the former residence of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman in Pulau Tikus was put on the market for RM62 million, making it the most expensive listing today.
The six-bedroom, double-storey detached residence with an annexed servants' quarters has been listed for sale on several property portals, including international listings.
The property sits on 0.6 hectare of freehold land fronting Jalan Park and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, a road named after the Tunku, who lived there until his demise in 1990.
The house with a built-up area of 9,867 sq ft and a land size of 64,472 sq ft, is a well-preserved heritage property, according to the listings.
Real estate experts said if the deal goes through at RM62 million, it would be the most expensive landed residential property sold in the market today.
The current owner of this historical property is believed to be a private company (a non-developer) that bought it more than a decade ago.