Report on PJ Palms to be handed to state

Writer: Alvin Yap
http://www.selangortimes.com/index.php?section=news&permalink=report-on-pj-palms-to-be-handed-to-state

PETALING JAYA: The mayor will present a detailed report on the operations of PJ Palms Sports Centre to the Selangor Economic Action Council.

The report by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) will include the refurbishment work and operations at the former Kelab Syabas.

“We will present the report to the Menteri Besar and state executive councillors soon,” Roslan Sakiman said on Wednesday after the council’s full board meeting

The move follows complaints from Bukit Gasing assemblyperson Edward Lee that the private operator, Sepang Mekar, has been given a lease of RM15,000 per month for the 60,000 sq ft area.

Lee said it was unfair for Sepang Mekar to make its sub-tenants fork out triple the rent they used to pay to the previous operator.

PJ Palms is within Lee’s state constituency, and sub-tenants have complained to him that they are paying high rental rates.

Two traders, Waikiki Bar, a pub, and a barbershop called Barber Joe claim that the new management’s policy of charging RM4.50 per sq ft rental space has caused a threefold increase 
in rental.

Waikiki Bar has to pay over RM19,000 instead of the usual RM5,000, and Barber Joe, which used to pay RM500 monthly, now has to pay RM1,800.

Roslan said MBPJ would review the lease rates to Sepang Mekar every three years.

“We will likely increase the monthly rates then,” he said at a press conference.

He pointed out that Sepang Mekar had given the sub-tenants rental discounts.

Roslan said Sepang Mekar was spending RM4.2 million to renovate and refurbish PJ Palms.

He said the previous operator operated a slot-machine gambling business and neglected the olympic-sized swimming pool.

A comprehensive audit report on the finances and work carried out by Sepang Mekar will be presented at a later date, he said.

Councillor Derek Fernandez said the club was in disrepair, adding that MBPJ had at one point planned to demolish the 30-year-old club, which was turning into an eyesore in New Town.