THE abandoned apartments at USJ 21, Subang Jaya, have been given a new lease of life, with developer Pinggiran Setia Sdn Bhd taking over the redevelopment of the project that had been abandoned in 2000. 

The project has been re-launched under a new name, Newgate 21. 

A launching ceremony-cum-gathering was organised for both past and new house buyers at the project site recently, to introduce the crowd to the new developer and its plans. 

The re-launching ceremony at the site of the project.

Present were Kinrara assemblyman Dr Kow Cheong Wei, group chairman of Loke King Loong Development Sdn Bhd Datuk Dr Loke King Loong (of which Pinggiran Setia is a subsidiary), chairman of the Newgate Avenue house buyers committee Pritpal Singh Sidhu, officers of Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), and Yap Yun Fatt, who is special assistant to Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng. 

Loke said his companies have helped revived many abandoned projects in Negeri Sembilan and is confident that he can help the plight of the house buyers. 

Pritpal Singh said the planned re-development for Newgate started about three years ago, when he began discussions with the previous developer Solarglow Sdn Bhd – a subsidiary of YCS Corporation Bhd – on ways to revive the project. 

“However, they were not committed as they could not raise the money to restart it. We are glad that Pinggiran Setia has come in to help.  

“At the moment, we are still talking to Bank Negara to help waive the interest of those who have obtained bank loans, from the time the project was abandoned to the time when the keys are handed over,” explained Pritpal Singh, who is also the house buyers committee chairman for Rhythm Avenue, another previously abandoned project in USJ 19. 

Newgate 21 is set to be completed in September 2007. The commercial and retail component of Newgate 21 will be The Podium, which occupies the basement of the second floor. 

Carrefour hypermarket is the anchor tenant, which will occupy the ground and first floor, alongside a range of tenants.  

Dr Kow said new road would be opened to cater to the traffic once the project is up. 

“We will speak to the Malaysian Highway Authority on this. 

“We are proposing for a new entry route at USJ 21/8 and an exit heading towards LDP through Jalan Aman,” said Dr Kow, adding that Jalan Aman will also be widened, while the slip road in USJ 20 heading to Puchong will be upgraded at a cost of RM1.7mil. 

“We have met with the Finance Ministry twice to help on the interest. There are about 20 banks servicing the loans so it’s hard to get everyone’s consensus for the waiver. 

“For assessment taxes and quit rents paid, we have also had a meeting with the state government and MPSJ,” said Dr Kow, adding everyone should, hopefully, receive their keys by Jan 1, 2008. 

“I would like to thank Pritpal for helping house buyers regain their homes, MPSJ for approving re-development plans, and Datuk Lee Hwa Beng who helped to find ways to revive this project.” 

For house buyer Christine Low, who had bought her three-room unit in 1999, she was shocked and frustrated to learn that the project was abandoned after three or four months into her billing. 

“Now, I’m very happy someone has taken over, and it’ll be great if they can fulfil their promises,” said Low. 

For more information, call contractor SkorBina Sdn Bhd at 03-8023 3612/7612.