Amirudin said a property consultant was appointed in 2012, which valued the land at RM13.02 per sq ft, or RM95.3 million in total.

“Three companies participated in the open tender process, and the decision was made to sell the land at RM101 million, 5.9% above the valuation,” he said In a statement yesterday, without disclosing the companies’ names.

The statement followed a meeting with residents from the Puchong area, including 14 residents’ associations and Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han, who sought clarification over the land’s status.

The sale of the land had drawn strong opposition from the residents, with Subang MP Wong Chen criticising the Selangor government for failing to respond to multiple letters regarding the matter.

Wong said he had sent three formal letters since December seeking clarification on the sale of the land, which was marked for development, but did not receive any official reply.

Amirudin said allegations surrounding the land were based on misinformation spread by irresponsible parties.

He reiterated that the land was not part of a permanent forest reserve, as it was degazetted in 1926 during British colonial rule.

At the same time, he said, the state government had never approved any development project on the site.

A low-cost housing project approved in 1996 was rejected in 2003 by the local authority because of the unsafe terrain, and was later cancelled by the state government in 2010, he said.

Following the cancellation, the developer initiated legal action, which was eventually resolved in favour of the authorities, reinforcing the decision to block development.

Amirudin said the residents had proposed preserving a hiking trail to the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, and the matter would be brought to the state executive council.

“Discussions will be held with the landowner to ensure that the recreational needs of the local community are preserved,” he said.

He also said the court rulings had upheld the local authority’s decision not to allow development on the site because of slope safety concerns.

“The decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Federal Court were in favour of the Subang Jaya municipal council, confirming that the decision not to allow development in the area was due to the slope conditions,” he said.