Tawau: Municipal Council (TMC) President, Salsidu Ibrahim, said he had received instructions from both the Chief Minister and Local Government and Housing Ministry to inform the developers to stop construction work on five open spaces, meant for the public, in Sabindo, here.Sri Tanjung Assemblyman Samson Chin said Salsidu made the confirmation when he called the TMC President for clarification on the matter, Tuesday.
According to him, Salsidu told him the Council had, in fact, prepared a letter to be issued to the developer requesting them to stop the project temporarily.
However, the letter cannot be handed out since they are waiting for his signature. He was currently attending a meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
Salsidu nonetheless told Chin that he had phoned the developers concerned to stop work.
He also said that he was informed by the higher authority that the issue is expected to be brought up at the State Cabinet Wednesday.
Salsidu said on Monday that Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Hajiji Noor had, through his Permanent Secretary, sent a letter to him directing him to stop the project temporarily until the Government made a decision.
People here were surprised that the proposed project to build 54 units of four-storey shoplots was awarded to two private companies despite the directives from both the Chief Minister and Local Government and Housing Ministry.
Three chambers of commerce namely, Tawau Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce Tawau branch, Tawau Indian Chamber of Commerce as well as Tawau Reporters' Association appealed to the Chief Minister's Department to stop the project.
However, the developers started the piling works five days ago.
