This followed reports of developer Ting Pek Khiing yesterday announcing that he would embark on a multi-billion ringgit development project in Langkawi, after keeping a low profile for the last 16 years.
Bernama reported that the project would be located on 81ha of reclaimed land off the west side of the island.
However, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir said he found the announcement puzzling as the project had yet to be proposed, discussed, considered or even approved by his government.
“I wish to explain that the project was once proposed when I was the menteri besar the first time, under the then Barisan Nasional (BN) government. Ting had then proposed a reclamation project to build the property which would be sold to local and foreign buyers.
“However, that proposal was never followed up with a deposit payment, in line with the state’s conditions for a mega project of this nature,” he said in a statement today.
Mukhriz said as such, the initial proposal was no longer under consideration, and that any new development proposal had to be officially submitted for the state government’s consideration.
He said it was not the administration’s way of complicating any initiative to invest in or develop the state. He added that the state would fully cooperate and offer the necessary guidelines and advice, if needed, to ensure the success of such efforts.
“However, the state government is firm on the adherence of all stipulated conditions and guidelines. Any proposed projects need to go through the vetting process to ascertain its social, environmental and economical impact.
“Yes, we are business and investment-friendly, but we will not compromise on the above three aspects.”
Ting had reportedly said the project would involve the construction of 30,000 high-end condominium units, commercial centres, berthing facilities for ocean liners and yachts, and other facilities.
“Several companies in our group will be involved in the development which is expected to be completed in 10 years’ time, or even earlier,” he said, without disclosing the names of the companies involved.
He said the project, which would spur foreign investments in Langkawi, would be the biggest he had ever embarked on since starting his business activities on the island in 1991.
Ting is reputed to have built a hotel on the island in a record 100 days in preparation for the inaugural Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exposition in 1991.