MIRI – The RM22 million the Sarawak government paid to acquire private land for the RM93 million City Hall building here has become a talking point ahead of state polls.
The opposition parties, in particular Sarawak PKR, have alleged that the state government had sold the land at the beachfront here at very low price to a renowned private consortium and bought it back from the company for RM22 million.
Miri Mayor Adam Yii today denied any shadow deals in how the land was acquired.
He added that land acquisition was done in 2004 before he took over as mayor.
“The land was bought via proper procurement and correct procedures. The allegations were made by Sarawak PKR information chief Abun Sui and they are inaccurate.
“The City Hall project was carried out after proper evaluation and rating,” he said to reporters today.
Yii said the construction was done in a transparent and professional manner.
Sui alleged that there was wrongdoing involved as the state government had sold the land for cheap to the private consortium before buying it back for RM22 million, resulting in profits for the private company.
The City Hall is located on the beach fronting the South China Sea.
Sarawak heads to the polls on December 18, with nomination day on December 6 and early voting on December 14. – The Vibes, November 26, 2021
