Abrupt eviction: Firm seeks help from government
Published on: Thursday, February 01, 2024
By: Sherell Jeffrey
MBMC and impacted entrepreneurs seeking government intervention in resolving the issues surrounding their abrupt eviction from the Sabah Trade Centre building.
Kota Kinabalu: MB Managers and Consultants (MBMC), a local bumiputra management company, is seeking help from the State Government to resolve the issues surrounding their abrupt eviction from the Sabah Trade Centre (STV) building.
According to MBMC operator Mohammad Iskandar Shah Ali, they were under the impression that there were no objections to their occupancy of the premises and had been operating as an interim management company while awaiting State Cabinet approval for the construction of a new building to replace the current STC.
ADVERTISEMENT
In an unexpected turn of events, MBMC, which has been in operation in Sabah since 2002, claimed to have received a notice requiring them to vacate the premises within 72 hours in November.
“This abrupt decision has left us grappling with the logistical nightmare of relocating a significant amount of equipment and materials invested in the premises over a year and a half,” Iskandar told a press conference here Wednesday.
He said MBMC, in 2021, proposed to State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurs Minister Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam to manage the STC at no cost to the Ministry.
He claimed at that time Permanent Secretary Datuk Thomas Logijin and Deputy Permanent Secretary Benedick Bisoni were both aware of the idea and supported the MBMC’s proposal.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said MBMC was permitted to hold events, rent out spaces within the building and operate the car park to help pay the facility’s management.
He said the Ministry of Finance also supported the proposal because it did not place financial burdens on the State Government.
ADVERTISEMENT
“After managing the building for over a year and a half and upgrading the conditions of the building and the surrounding area, a new Minister, Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, took over the Ministry.
“MBMC had to wait nearly a year before we could brief the new Minister and his officers, including Myrna, the new Deputy Permanent Secretary.”
He claimed that MBMC was given 72 hours to vacate the building after being made to believe there was no objection to their position until the State Cabinet approved the development of a new building to replace the STC.
He claimed that when MBMC requested an extension, the Ministry directed SESB to turn off all power to the building, making it even more difficult to conduct anything inside in complete darkness.
“MBMC agreed to pay whatever electricity is needed to properly clear out the building,” he said.
He claimed that the Ministry cited an overdue balance of over RM30,000 with SESB accumulated before MBMC took control of the building as the reason why the electricity will not be reconnected.
“The balance, however, has already been settled by a company previously appointed by the Ministry,” he claimed, adding the water supply was also cut and the doors boarded up and chained, making it impossible for MBMC and its working partners to gain access to their equipment, materials and tools inside.
“The Director of the State Economic Planning Unit, Datuk Jasmine Teo, also attended the briefing for the Ministry and said the STC building did not have an OC to allow for any occupancy or activity within the building and therefore MBMC has to vacate the building.
“MBMC’s investigation into this claim revealed that this point was irrelevant because the building was completed before 1997 and was even inaugurated by the Prime Minister at the time, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad.
“The State did not require the building to have an OC at the time, and it housed many government agencies until recently, when it was abandoned.
“Local, national and international programmes have all been successfully organised in the building without any incidences. Many older government buildings that are still in use today do not have an OC.
“MBMC doesn’t understand why a building that was abandoned by the Ministry and had no upkeep cannot be given to local entrepreneurs who are willing to operate and manage the building at zero cost to the Ministry and State Government,” he said.
He said MBMC was collaborating with about 16 local businesses in various roles, as well as over 20 food stall hawkers in the parking lot, to make an honest income without placing the State Government under any financial strain.
He said MBMC even managed to get the attention of TAED Executive Director Tan Sri Pandikar Amin and the Chief Minister’s Special Envoy for BIMP-EAGA to consider setting up their office in the STC as it has the potential for events for small traders that need a large venue but not at international rates.
“Over the previous year and a half, MBMC’s presence at the Sabah Trade Centre has effectively reduced the theft of electricity, property and water. The basic maintenance, upkeep and installation of solar lights helped to reduce night time vices in the parking lot, deter drug users and improve the overall aesthetics of the building and surrounding area.
“MBMC was even able to get the Pillars of Sabah artist group to paint a mural on the wall further improving the look of the building,” he said.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
