01/10/2009 The Star Story by LIM CHIA YING

THE Economic Planning Unit (EPU) is set to call for a last meeting with the current developer of Plaza Rakyat to iron out details.

This, according to Federal Territories Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, has been agreed upon by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, who is in charge of the EPU.

“Plaza Rakyat, being a privatisation project, is now in the hands of the EPU and the developer.

“However, we note that the negotiation is taking too long, having dragged on to October when the deadline was supposed to be August,” said Nong Chik after handing house keys and aid to fire victim Mohd Wazir Mohd Badri whose flat unit in PPR Kerinchi was destroyed on Monday morning.

“Even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has said the project should be expedited and he has suggested opening up the project to new developers to bid,” he said.

In July, Nong Chik was reported as saying that Plaza Rakyat will be revived, and that the EPU was then finalising the new terms and conditions with the developer who has been given a grace period to decide whether they want to take up the offer.

He added that the project had to go on or else it would be a waste.

“If the current contract is to be terminated, it would require EPU’s approval. For now, a final meeting will be called and this should hopefully be resolved by November,” said Nong Chik.

The Plaza Rakyat project in Kuala Lumpur was launched at about the same time that the Suria KLCC was being built in the mid-90s.

However, while the iconic twin towers stand majestically tall today, the Plaza Rakyat project has been left uncompleted and stands like a sore thumb at the busy Pudu area.

Earlier, Nong Chik presented RM1,000 donated by the Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan as well as food and electrical items worth another RM1,000 from the Lembah Pantai Umno division to Mohd Wazir.

Mohd Wazir and his family had moved into their 12th floor flat unit in Block E in February before it was razed in Monday fire.

They are now being given keys to a new unit on same block.

“I also wish to thank the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for their quick response in providing a new unit in less than 24 hours,” said Nong Chik.

Asked about allegations by firemen on low water pressure during the incident as reported in some newspapers, Nong Chik said he would ask the DBKL to increase the pressure and that the firemen still managed to contain the fire to just one unit.

Mohd Wazir said he did not manage to salvage any documents and belongings but was thankful that neighbours had been kind enough to contribute some things for his family’s needs.

A team from the DBKL housing department who was inspecting Mohd Wazir’s burnt unit refuted claims that the water pressure was low.

An official said the water pressure was in fact fine and that all the facilities were in order.

“There are two types of water systems here — one being the hose reel which is to put out small fires.

“The second one is the down commer, which is for use of firemen.

“The firemen had used a hydrant while some tenants had used the hose reel. But when the fire was this big, the down commer should have been used.

“It is being provided for and the DBKL had also ensured extra accessories for all the blocks here not too long ago,” said the official.

On the remaining number of squatters in Lembah Pantai that have yet to relocate, Nong Chik said most had relocated except for a few groups.

“On Oct 10, the Prime Minister will be visiting the area to launch the sales of flats for the whole of Kuala Lumpur.

“I wish to advise those who have refused to move out they may be left out once all units are taken up,” he said.

“Priority (to own these units) is given to squatters and areas which are being earmarked for development. But if these groups still refuse to move, then we may have to sell it to other people out there,” he said adding that the entire completion of the sales process may take about two years,” he said.