Kosan says tenants informed of eviction of premises 2 years ago for redevelopment

KOTA KINABALU – Koperasi Serbaguna Sanya Berhad (Kosan) has denied allegations that tenants have been evicted from its premises in Likas here without notice.

Kosan chairman Datuk Ellron Angin said Wisma Kosan tenants have been notified about the eviction more than two years ago through a letter dated March 14, 2019.  

“Tenants were asked to evict the building within three months (from March 2019). However, many of them applied for the eviction date to be postponed until December 2019, and we agreed.  

“The eviction date was postponed further to July 24 this year due to Covid-19,” he said in a statement today.

He was responding to allegations made by Henry Shim Chee On, who is former political secretary to Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe.

Shim had described the eviction as hasty and done without consensus from Kosan members.

The eviction was believed to make way for the joint venture development between Kosan and Harmoni Bumiria Sdn Bhd that involved 1.85 acres (0.75ha) of land to build a commercial building comprising retail lots and service suites.

The agreement was signed by the state youth and sports minister before Phoong; the late Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan, on August 24, 2015.

But according to Shim, Phoong, who then replaced Tawfiq, had been seeking ways, including consulting lawyers to look into terminating the agreement.

Phoong had said that no eviction notice shall be issued until the decision is supported by a majority of members through the 37th annual general meeting (AGM), which was delayed and has not taken place due to the pandemic.

Ellron clarified that Kosan members had agreed to redevelop the Kosan land during its 30th AGM on June 29, 2013.  

“The redevelopment will benefit and profit Kosan members and Sabahans as it would provide affordable apartments, offices, and shop lots.  

“The development plan had been presented, discussed, and approved by Kosan members in its 34th AGM on August 19, 2017.”  

Many locals expressed on social media that they are saddened that the building will be demolished, as many a fond memory made in Wisma Kosan, a building that housed eateries and residential units. – The Vibes, August 1, 2021