NUSAJAYA, May 27 — The development of the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC) in Johor will continue despite a land dispute between land owners and the Johor government and project-owner Petroliam Nasional Bhd.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said public interest projects should continue even though there was a law suit going on.
“According to land regulation, the project, which is of public interest, can continue although court proceedings were ongoing as it cannot be halted under the Land Code.
“I don’t think the PIPC would be jeopardised because of this,” he told reporters when commenting on the possibility of the project being postponed because of the land dispute.
Earlier, Muhyiddin attended a briefing by the state government on developments plans including the Iskandar Region here today.
Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, however, said this (dispute) was normal when taking possession of land for projects.
“This is normal. When we take possession of land, there is bound to be disputes for instance from the compensation point of view.
“We will hand the matter over to the courts and will abide by their decision,” he said.
Kelana Megah Development Sdn Bhd has filed a suit claiming that seven parcels of its land were illegally transferred under the compulsory land acquisition for the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) project which is part of the Pengerang project.
Kelana Megah’s parent company, MPHB Capital, alleged that its land was unlawfully acquired by the Johor state government at a price of 93 sen per square foot despite there being an agreement between the latter and Petronas to purchase the land at RM8 per square foot.
The land is made up around 45 per cent of the total land required for the RAPID project. — Bernama
