Mayor says project will benefit city folk

Menara DBKL 2 will centralise administration and be a public-oriented space

DBKL plans to demolish the current Menara DBKL 2 to build a four-tower structure, estimated to cost RM300mil, to centralise all its departments in one area. -filepic

KUALA LUMPUR mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said the redevelopment of Menara DBKL 2 in Jalan Raja Laut will benefit city folk.

“My conscience is clear. We want to make sure that our properties are utilised to their fullest potential.

“Many old buildings in the city have been redeveloped and this is what we want to do with Menara 2. The former PKNS building is more than 40 years old and it was time to rebuild it.

“This is also in line with our aim to develop areas along the River of Life project.

“It will also centralise our administration and be a public-orientated place with facilities such as theatres and event halls.

“We are not focused on having retail space to make money but rather creating a conducive place for social activities.

“I received a lot of requests to redevelop the land where Menara DBKL 2 stands for commercial use but we want to maintain it as a DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) administration building,” he said after a ceremony to mark the new name of Lebuhraya Mahameru, which is now known as Lebuhraya Sultan Iskandar.

StarMetro reported on Nov 24 that the 12-storey Menara DBKL 2 would be demolished to build a four-tower structure, estimated to cost RM300mil to centralise all its departments in one area.

The decision came shortly after millions was spent on a major upgrade of the building, completed a few months ago.

This prompted many to question the misuse of taxpayers’ money, but Ahmad Phesal said the redevelopment decision was made after the upgrade.

“The redevelopment was mooted much earlier but we had not finalised the details. Hence, the decision on the upgrade.

“Anyway, there can never be a better time than now.

“An open tender will be called,” said Ahmad Phesal in promising to be transparent about the project.

Federal Territory PPP chairman Datuk A. Chandrakumanan said the redevelopment plan for Menara 2 was timely.

“DBKL needs an iconic building in the city to project a good image. The old building would have to be redeveloped one day and construction costs will only escalate.
“Perhaps, 20 years from now, people will appreciate the wise decision made which has saved millions.

“The facilities in the current building was breaking down. Perhaps, the upgrade was a temporary measure until the redevelopment plan was finalised,” he said.
Socioeconomic consultant Kamaruzaman Ujang also said it was time to replace the former PKNS building.

“DBKL can easily cover the cost and service the loan by renting out DBKL 3 and some office space in the new building,” he said.

Meanwhile, several Kuala Lumpur MPs gathered outside Menara 2 to object to the project.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said the existing building was just renovated last year at a cost of RM10mil.

“The people’s money is clearly not being well spent.

“The mayor says the project will cost only RM300mil but I am sure it will go up,’’ he said.

Tan added that DBKL’s excuse that it lacked funds to pursue projects such as providing pubic housing for city folk has no basis if they are able to invest in the new 57-storey complex.

Wangsa Maju MP Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong questioned why the MPs were not consulted.
Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said the project was not a priority and having all the departments under one roof would worsen traffic congestion.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the re-evaluation of property rates was done earlier this year as DBKL said it had insufficient funds for infrastructure projects such as building roads.

“DBKL should not spend such a huge amount of taxpayers’ money on something like this,” she said.

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