JOHOR BARU, 28 April 2009: President of the Johor Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMMJ) Syed Ali Alattas told the High Court here today that the Johor Menteri Besar had revoked the award of land in Pantai Lido to the chamber years after he offered the land.
He said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who was then Johor Menteri Besar announced the offer of land to DPMMJ during a Hari Raya gathering in 1993.
The exclusive right to develop the 26ha land was then awarded to DPMMJ through a later dated 7 Dec 1993 but the Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, Johor Land and Mines Director and Johor State Economic Planning Unit revoked the exclusive right on 6 Jan 2004 through another letter, he said.
He said the second letter was in response to several letters sent by DPMMJ since 1999 to question the signing of a memorandum of understanding to develop the same area by the three defendants and Optima Bestari Sdn Bhd.
Following this, he said, DPMMJ incurred losses and damages and demanded the return of the land or a payment of RM322 million in addition to RM631,303 which it had paid to a consultant for the development of the land.
Syed Ali was testifying at the start of the hearing of the suit filed on 6 May 2005 by DPMMJ against the Johor Menteri Besar, Johor Land and Mines Director and Johor State Economic Planning Unit over the land which has been developed into the Danga Bay project.
It was presided by Justice Datuk Hue Siew Kheng. DPMMJ was represented by counsel PK Nanthan and Fazidah Mansor while Johor Deputy Legal Adviser Jailani Abdul Rahman appeared for the three defendants.
Syed Ali told reporters outside the courtroom that the suit was not politically motivated. DPMMJ was only running a business and looking after the welfare of its members, he added.
The hearing continues tomorrow. — Bernama
