KOTA KINABALU: The 49.75 acres of land in Kinarut owned by Koperasi Serbaguna Masyarakat Foochow Sabah Berhad should not be sold, says a member of the cooperative, Tang Yew Hia.
He suggested that any cooperative members who wanted to sell their individual plots of land could sell it to other cooperative members, so as to retain the ultimate aim of developing the land into a ‘Foochow Village’.
Tang, who is also Foochow Association Kota Kinabalu executive committee advisor, said this in a press statement here yesterday.
Tang pointed out that the construction of a highway from Penampang to Kinarut was under way and the completion of this project would bring great benefits to Kinarut, adding that Kinarut was booming with many development projects rolled out by housing developers in the area in recent years.
“I’m a member of the cooperative. Datuk John Su acquired the 50-acres of land during his tenure as the chairman of the cooperative’s board of directors.
“The initial plan was to develop a ‘Foochow Village’, for Foochowese to build their own houses, a place where we can gather. The plan also included shops, nurseries, hall, inn and et cetera.”
Tang continued to say that the present cooperative chairman, Dr Ling Hie Sing, and his board of directors had continued to execute the development plan for many years but to no avail.
An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) was held, and it was reported in the EGM that the development plan had yet to be approved by the government, and that the development project would be difficult due to the terrain. Hence, it was said that the land would be sold and the money to be refunded to cooperative members who have bought the plots of land.
“This has sparked a dispute, in which cooperative members complained to Datuk Yii Ching Siew. Some say that the land was sold at a price that is much too cheap, while some say that the cooperative should negotiate with the government to realize the Foochow Village project.”
Tang said he was personally against selling the land because the earthwork had been done, and the value of the land would certainly soar if the development was completed two or three years later.
“We have waited for more than 10 years. If we give it two more years, there will definitely be a good result. I don’t understand why the board of directors did not tell this to the cooperative members.”
If any cooperative members are in favour of selling the land, they could sell their individual plots of land to other members.
He also urged cooperative members to consider their decision prior to attending the annual general meeting (AGM) to be held soon.
Tang encouraged members to visit the site themselves to get a clearer picture.