Presence in LLSB to represent state govt interests, says S’gor MB

KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari and a state executive councillor in Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB) is to ensure that the interests of the state government are not affected.

At a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday (March 1), Amiruddin also said that he and state executive councillor Izham Hashim did not hold positions on the LLSB board for their personal interests.

“We represent the state government and we want to ensure that the best interests of the state government aren't undermined,” Amiruddin said.

He also noted that LLSB was a subsidiary of Mentri Besar Selangor (Incorporated) (MBI).

“I don’t think there’s a conflict of interest. The ones who raised it might have not understood the conflict of interest,” said Amiruddin.

“I want to congratulate Perikatan Nasional who are shooting blanks to attack the state government. Please try again in future,” added Amiruddin.

Earlier Wednesday (March 1), a police report was lodged by Selangor Perikatan information chief Mohd Shukor Mustaffa against Amiruddin, Izham and several other individuals over alleged abuse of power on the issue.

Meanwhile, Amiruddin said the project to deepen and widen Sungai Klang was conceived in 2008 by the late Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, who was the then Selangor mentri besar.

Amiruddin said that in 2019, the request for proposal (RFP) process was carried out and 98 companies were invited.

However, Amiruddin said there weren't any attractive proposals at the time.

Subsequently, in 2020, Amiruddin said a proposal by Berjaya Land Bhd was brought to LLSB.

“LLSB then brought the project to MBI, and subsequently to the state government meeting in 2021,” said Amiruddin.

“It is clear that the tendering process was made in early 2021 and those making the accusations lack the knowledge, or they were merely trying to find trouble,” Amiruddin added.

Amiruddin said in October last year, LLSB and Berjaya Land agreed to form Landasan Lumayan Berjaya Sdn Bhd, where 55% shares were held by Berjaya Land and 45% by MBI.

“The function of MBI and the state government is to prepare land for development and 200ha of land was identified.

“After the floods in 2021, one of the terms of the project was that it should be fully funded by Berjaya Land,” Amiruddin said.

Amiruddin said the project was estimated to be worth RM700mil and Landasan Lumayan Berjaya Sdn Bhd was not required to pay land premiums that amounted to RM117mil.

LLSB managing director Syaiful Azmen Nordin had said, in a statement earlier Wednesday, that the RM700mil flood mitigation project did not involve any funds from the Selangor state government.

Syaiful said the project would be financed via premium liability for the land, which is estimated to be RM117mil, RM54mil in debt obligations and the remaining through MBI.

Syaiful also said Amiruddin and Izham sat in the LLSB board to represent the interests of the Selangor state government.

The RM700mil figure is an estimate for a 56km project along the Klang River that will take place over a five-year period.