KPKT to meet Forest City developer

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 1): The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) will meet with the developer of the Forest City megaproject project on Monday to learn more about the project, its minister Zuraidah Kamaruddin (pictured) revealed today.

"We will be meeting the developer, the state government, Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and local authorities.

"The Ministry will submit a report to the Cabinet on the matter later. Only then will the government decide on foreign ownership related to the project," The Star reported her telling the media after visiting the Eco Majestic township in Semenyih, Selangor today.

"We also want to know what transpired between the developer and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak," Zuraidah added.

Located in Gelang Patah, Johor, Forest City is a 30,000 sq m mixed-use development located at Iskandar Malaysia jointly developed by CGPV, a joint venture company between China’s Country Garden Holdings and Malaysian partner Esplanade Danga 88.

It was reported on Aug 27 that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has announced that foreigners will not be allowed to buy property at the Forest City mega project in Johor or be granted visas to live there.

"One thing is certain, that city that is going to be built cannot be sold to foreigners."   

"Our objection is because it was built for foreigners, not built for Malaysians. Most Malaysians are unable to buy those flats," Dr Mahathir said then.

The prime minister has also ordered Zuraida to form a committee to assess agreements and deals pertaining to the sale of residential units in Forest City.

“That statement (prohibition of the sale of houses to foreigners) will be studied, and we will call the relevant stakeholders for a meeting to discuss the matter.

“Many units there have been sold in China, and we will look at the sales mechanism and other relevant issues,” she said.