Kg Baru 93-storey tower merely a proposal, says Khalid

The 93-storey tower which is supposedly part of the Kampung Baru's redevelopment plans is merely a proposal at this stage, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad.

"(The construction of the tower) is a proposal, just an architect's idea for an iconic tower," he said, as reported by The Malaysian Insight today.

Even if the construction of such a building was approved, Khalid said it would be done by the private sector and not the government.

"Commercial buildings will be built by companies, such as Petronas, CIMB or Felda," he added.

The decision on any such commercial buildings would take into account market demand, he explained.

"The development will not take place immediately, it will take 10 to 20 years of planning.

"For example, KLCC was not built in five to six years. Even KLCC has an unfinished phase in construction.

"It will take time. If there is no demand, the tower will not be built," he said.

Current priority

Right now, the land where the proposed development of Kampung Baru is supposed to take place is in the hands of private owners.

As such, Khalid said the current priority is to acquire the land first.

"The details of the development will need the consent of the people first. Once everyone has agreed to start the sale process, we will finalise it.

"Only when these are finalised can we reveal more details on the plan... this is just the beginning," he said.

Previously, the government had announced that the redevelopment of Kampung Baru would include residential buildings, including high-rise dwellings as well as corporate towers and retail complexes.

It had offered to buy land in Kampung Baru at a rate of RM850 psf, as compensation to landowners and heirs, in return for the redevelopment of the area.

Part of the redevelopment plan reportedly included the proposed building, deemed the Kampung Baru Landmark Tower.

Netizens were quick to criticise the tower, while a graphic prepared and released on Tuesday by national news agency Bernama, has since been circulating on Twitterjaya.

According to the diagram, the 430m-tall tower is based on the geometric folds of the traditional sampin and tengkolok or headgear worn by Malay men.

If completed, it will stand taller than the KL Tower, which is 420m tall, but below the Petronas Twin Towers which is 452m tall.

Netizens questioned the necessity for another skyscraper in the capital city and the costs involved.