KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today asked Kuala Lumpur City Hall to address issues on the redevelopment of Pasar Datuk Keramat here, which has been operating in a dilapidated state.
The upgrading project had been delayed for six years. Anwar said that the issue with Pasar Datuk Keramat arose because the developer assigned by City Hall to upgrade the market had failed to complete the project within the stipulated time frame.
"I believe it is crucial to address the condition of Pasar Datuk Keramat as it is in very poor shape.
"I have informed Titiwangsa member of Parliament Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh to pay attention to this matter," he told reporters today.
Johari, who is plantation and commodities minister, said that the developer involved did not carry out the upgrading project for the market as it was supposed to.
He said as the developer did not execute the project, City Hall could not proceed with its redevelopment plan because the developer had paid approximately 10 per cent only of the land value in the market area.
"Previously, City Hall had sold the land to the developer, who intended to develop the market.
"After I became the people's representative for the area once again, I pushed City Hall to reclaim the land," he said.
Johari said City Hall had now resolved the issue.
"The developer has returned the land to City Hall and they (the developer) have also reclaimed their deposit.
"Now, it is up to City Hall to manage and upgrade the market," he said.