KOTA BARU: The state government today expressed interest to buy over the land and building rented by a member of GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISB) in Jalan Long Yunus, here.
The building had been turned into a hotel and both land and structure had an estimated value of RM3.8 million.
However, Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzli Hassan said the purchase of the property might be done by agencies under the state government.
"The matter is not final and although we (the state government) cannot buy the properties, the agencies under us can do so.
"This is still early to decide and further discussions need to be done before we make the decision," he told reporters after attending the state executive council meeting here today.
On Sept 25, the owner had decided to sell his land and building for RM3.8 million.
The owner, who only wanted to be known as Wan Kamil, said the decision came after discussing with his family and the recent controversies surrounding the GISB group.
Wan Kamil said that he rented the land and building to a member of the group at the end of the Covid-19 Movement Control Order (MCO).
He hoped to sell the property as soon as possible because he did not want to get into trouble for renting it to a GISB business.
On another note, Fadzli said the state government would not interfere in any investigations into GISB.
"We will leave it to the state Religious Department and the police to carry out their probe," he added.
He then said the state government would donate RM100,000 to help those in Kedah who have been affected by the recent floods.
"The donation will be sent to the state as soon as possible," he added.