Former MPSP building up for sale

BUTTERWORTH: While the RM80mil Se­be­rang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) building in Bukit Mertajam remains a subject of controversy, the council’s former headquarters here has been lying idle for the last two years.

The five-storey building at Jalan Datuk Haji Ahmad Said in the heart of Butterworth has been vacant since the council shifted to its new headquarters in Bandar Perda in early 2006. MPSP had moved out of the 39-year-old building as it could no longer accommodate all its departments under one roof.

Early this week, the MPSP came under fire for spending RM80mil on the complex when its coffers were running dry. Its financial situation was highlighted at the Penang assembly when it was revealed the council had reserves to last only six months.

Vacant: The building in Bukit Mertajam has been lying idle for the last two years.

Council president Farizan Darus said MPSP was now putting up the former headquarters building, valued at RM12mil, for sale.

“Two private companies have expressed interest but offered only half the market value. We are now negotiating with a third potential buyer,” he said.

Farizan added that the buyers were only interested in paying for the land due to its prime location but the council was holding out for a better price.

“It is in a good location and worth retaining for now. We don’t mind waiting for a willing buyer. The building is still in good condition and it comes with a car park.

“We are willing to sell but not at a 50% or 30% discount,” he added.

Farizan said the council had rented out the annexe buildings at its old complex to the Civil Defence Department and Kraftangan Department for RM15,000 per month.

The council also maintains a payment counter and a clinic for food handlers to take their injections, he added.