Istana Zakaria expansion plan almost OK

It seems that "Istana Zakaria" will not encounter any problem for expansion. Menteri Besar, Dato Seri Khir Toyo sees no problem in the application for extra land adjacent to the palatial mansion belongs to Dato Zakaria Deros. Read the New Straits Times today.

2007/11/22
Zakaria sees no reason to withdraw land application

By : Neville Spykerman
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SHAH ALAM: "Istana Zakaria" seems destined for expansion.

Datuk Zakaria Md Deros will not withdraw the application by his wife for a temporary occupancy licence for a 1,260 sq metre plot next to his mansion in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran."No (I will not withdraw the application). The menteri besar has already commented on the issue," the Port Klang assemblyman told the New Straits Times to a question on whether the application would remain.

The controversial politician who has been in the public eye over the construction of the mansion spent yesterday dodging reporters at the state assembly.

Opposition assemblyman Teng Chang Khim, who highlighted the issue during Selangor's budget debate on Tuesday, said the size of the plot sought by Datin Zizah Ngah was enough to build 11 link houses.

He said the application was clearly a conflict of interest because Zakaria, in his capacity as a state assemblyman, is a member of the District Land Committee which decides on TOL applications.

The Sungai Pinang state assemblyman claimed the application, which had the support of the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Public Works Department and the Klang Municipal Council (MPK), had already been approved by the Land Office.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo yesterday denied that TOL had been approved for the plot.He said the application was at the technical stage, and it would be the state executive council that would make the final decision."We will consider all factors, including the political implications, before deciding," he said.He also said that there would not be a conflict of interest as Zakaria "would have to leave the room before any decision is made at the District Land Committee stage".

He added that he would not ask Zakaria to withdraw his application as he could not stop anybody from making an application for land."Istana Zakaria" made headlines last year when it emerged that it had been built without official approval.It was reported that the land had been alienated to Zakaria's wife for RM180,000, far less than the estimated market value of RM1 million.