The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Wisma Fui Chiu in a state of neglect Posted: 10 May 2013 06:26 AM PDT WISMA Fui Chiu, once a bustling shopping centre, is now an eyesore in the city. The building, located opposite the gateway to the popular tourist destination Petaling Street, has been left mostly empty since 2009. The structure, with a history stretching back to the 1930s, poses a danger to passersby and is a vagrant hotspot. Only the top two floors (Levels 6 and 7) are occupied by the Fui Chiu Association of Selangor and Federal Territories while the other sections are out of bounds. The association was founded by Kapitan Yap Ah Loy, and is said to be one of the most powerful Chinese clan associations in Malaya. The association's records showed that the building, originally four storeys, was for office and commercial use as well as staff quarters. The premises was temporarily used by Tsun Jin High School when its original campus was destroyed by the Japanese during World War II. It was also used by the Malaya Communist Party and Zhigong party until these groups were declared illegal in July 1948. In November 1985, the building was developed into a 13-storey office and commercial block but the construction was halted due to the cooperatives. The construction resumed in 1989 and the building received its certificate of fitness in 1992. Association president Chia Lek Ming said the building's current state was because the lessee was involved in a legal battle with its tenants. He explained that the association had a 40-year contract with the lessee, who was responsible for maintaining the building. "Because of the contract, we cannot hire another firm to clean and maintain the building. We even have to pay to use the parking bays in the basement. "We are celebrating our 150th anniversary next year and we are unsure if we can even hold the event at this premises. "We hope the parties involved can resolve their problems and revive this place as soon as possible," Chia said, adding that the situation had hit the association hard. He said rental for badminton courts on the top floor had dropped significantly and that they had to hold activities at rented halls elsewhere. "We are not sure if the lifts are maintained regularly and a walk up the dingy staircases is quite frightening," he said. Chia also said the lease would only expire in 2030. "Some of the fixtures on the facade are loose. "We really hope the lessee can attend to all these problems before someone gets hurt. "The building's bad condition is marring the association's reputation when, in fact, we are the victim," he said. The lessee declined to comment due to the ongoing court proceedings. |
| Posted: 10 May 2013 06:26 AM PDT Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) is inviting business proprietors interested in renting vacant land under the council's jurisdiction to submit a letter to its assessment and property management department. Balakong assemblyman Eddie Ng said there were at least 100 plots of land available for rent, in many of the housing estates under MPKj's jurisdiction. "MPKj is open to applications for warehouses and parking lots for heavy vehicles. "The council will make a decision on what type of business is allowed on the land," said the former MPKj councillor at a press conference in Kampung Baru Balakong recently. He added that some companies might find it hard to find a place to park their heavy vehicles since they could not do so in neighbourhoods. "These pieces of land are open for them and they are allowed to build temporary structures," said Ng. He added that the plots of land were reserved for community halls, mosques, schools and clinics but the lack of budget had delayed development. "Instead of letting the land go to waste, the council had in December 2010 approved the proposal to rent out the land," he said. Ng said maintaining the land would cost about RM95,000 per month but since the council had started to rent it out, they had managed to save over RM300,000 in maintenance cost. "We also managed to get up to RM34,000 revenue every month," he added. He said the renting contract was up to two years because the council might have plans for the land in the future. "We have received more than 20 applications and we hope more people will make use of this opportunity," he said. He added that so far nearly 5.6ha of land had been rented out to nurseries, warehouses, car workshops and scrap metal yards. As for plans that the council have with the revenue, Ng said it would be tabled under the council's budget. |
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