Independent task force set up over Batu Caves condo

(Malaysiakini) Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has announced that an independent task force will examine the issues surrounding the construction of condominiums near the iconic Subramaniar Temple in Batu Caves.

"We want to show the people that we are transparent in our decision making, so we will set up an independent task force that may be headed by a former judge,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby this afternoon.

"It will include committee members who are well known planners, lawyers and other people related to the industry."

The details and timeline, Khalid said, will be announced after these are discussed at the state exco meeting tomorrow.

The committee, he said, will advise the state government on the situation and how best to move forward, while safeguarding the sacred site and allowing development in the surrounding areas.

"We want the process to be very systematic until we get a conclusion, then we will make the appropriate decision," he said.

Asked if the temple committee-members will be represented in the task force, Khalid said it would be made up only of independent individuals without any interest in the issue.

To defuse tensions which are running high in some quarters, a stop-work order was issued last week on the 29-storey condominium project.

The controversy broke after the temple committee, backed by MIC top guns including former president S Samy Vellu, led a protest against the Selangor government.

However, state exco Ronnie Liu later revealed documents to show that BN had approved the project when it controlled Selangor in 2007.