Bandar Malaysia on track

Work to start at relocation sites |

PUTRAJAYA, 17 Feb 2012:  The proposed Bandar Malaysia is on track with the signing of development agreements on eight relocation sites for the current military and police installations in the old Sungai Besi air base.

1MDB (“1Malaysia Development Berhad”) will develop the new sites for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), Royal Artillery Regiment (31 RAD) and the air wing of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP).

Five sites are for the relocation of RMAF operations at Pangkalan Udara Kuala Lumpur in Subang, Selangor; Kuantan, Pahang; Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan; Butterworth, Penang and Gong Kedak, Terengganu; two for RMP (Subang and Ipoh, Perak) and one for 31 RAD in Kajang, Selangor.

The agreements for the development of the Butterworth and Gong Kedak sites for RMAF were signed in December 2011 whilst the agreement for the Ipoh site for RMP was signed last month.

The rest were signed today by Defence Ministry Secretary-General Dato' Sri Dr. Haji Ismail Haji Ahmad, Home Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Management) Dato’ Wahab Mohd Yasin and 1MDB Chief Executive Officer Shahrol Halmi.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department YB Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop witnessed the signing at the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department here.  Also present were 1MDB Chairman Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin and EPU Director-General Datuk Dr. Rahamat Bivi Yusoff.

The relocation process will be in phases upon completion of works at the new bases within the next five years.

1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Operations) Dato’ Azmar Talib said: “We thank the respective government agencies, RMAF, 31 RAD and RMP for their cooperation to ensure that the relocation will be on schedule.”

Azmar said: “Today’s signing signals the beginning of work for the new sites. In line with our priority to minimise disruptions to the security operations of the country, current operations will move out only after the new sites are ready.”

In June 2011, 1MDB, the Master Developer for Bandar Malaysia, signed the Sale and Purchase agreements with Federal Land Commissioner for the transfer of 495 acres of Sungai Besi airport land to 1MDB; the Sale and Purchase agreement with the Menteri Besar Incorporated of Negeri Sembilan for the purchase of 750 acres in Sendayan; and a master relocation agreement with Defence Ministry and Home Ministry to develop the eight replacement sites.

Bandar Malaysia aims to promote livability as a distinctive character of Greater Kuala Lumpur. It will be a mixed development filled with livable space for work/life balance such as open green space and people’s avenue as well as world class higher learning institutions.

This is the third game-changing use of the historical site. In 1956, it served as the first international airport, opening up the aviation, travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

It was also the birthplace of the RMAF from where it grew to become an ultra modern air force.