Saari Sungib told to walk the talk

(MM) – Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib (picture) should exhaust all avenues to resolve the Ulu Kelang Recreational Club (UKRC) land issue instead of “passing the buck” to the courts.

UKRC president Andrew Gopal claimed Saari had not done enough to settle the matter, which resulted in Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) seizing the land.

He said Saari was aware of the details but had refused to pursue the matter effectively despite many factual errors in the public hearing report tabled at the state assembly last year.

“The report provided the basis for the mentri besar’s decision to allow MPAJ to seize the land as it was declared an open space,” said Andrew.

“We are giving Saari until January 13 to rectify the report and return the land. He has the power as an elected representative.

“We call on him to honour his promise to voters and not to betray our trust.”

Andrew said if the mistakes in the report were rectified, the state would have to return the land to the club.

This could also result in the case between MPAJ and UKRC on January 13 to be thrown out.

He said: “If nothing happens by January 13, we will take him to court for duping the voters.

“Saari knows UKRC had spent millions on the land over the past 56 years. We converted the land from a mining pool into the field we see today.”

Some 50 individuals, comprising UKRC members and Kuala Ampang residents, protested against the assemblyman in front of Ulu Kelang Community Centre in Lembah Keramat on Friday, alleging Saari had broken promises he made before the 2008 general election.

They claimed Saari acknowledged the land ownership issue and pledged to resolve the matter five years ago but has failed to do so.