Zakaria approved Zakaria

The Selangor Badminton Association applied for a piece of land which was approved by the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor. Nothing wrong with that.
Except that beleaguered Klang municipal councillor Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros is the SBA president and chairman of the PKNS land committee which approved the application.

The SBA asked for four hectares (10 acres) in Shah Alam but was alienated a 2.8ha (seven acres) lot in Section 7, Phase 3B, Shah Alam.
The cost of the land is RM6,133,834.20, which is below the market value. It is believed the market value per square foot in Section 7 is between RM70 and RM100 a square foot, but was offered to the SBA at RM18.
Ironically, the Sultan of Selangor, who asked Zakaria to quit as councillor, is also the patron of the SBA.
In fact, another councillor, Mazlynoor Abdul Latif, who also failed to submit building plans for his new house, is the SBA vice-president.

The idea to seek a piece of land in Shah Alam, said a source, was mooted by Zakaria himself.
Among plans for the complex are 12 courts with seating capacity for 1,000 to 2,000 spectators, a 30-room hostel, a clubhouse and other sports facilities. The total cost of the project is about RM10 million.

Source: New Straits Times

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Zakaria Deros

Other councillors also building without submitting plans

MPK Councillor Faizal Abdullah resigns

Kapar Umno Youth chief Faizal Abdullah, who is also the state party deputy youth chief has resigned as a Klang Municipal Councillor following the controversy over him constructing his house without obtaining approval from the council. 

Faizal and two other councillors – Datuk Zakaria Md Deros and Mazlynoor Abdul Latiff – constructed their houses without approval. However, he is the only one who has relinquished his post. 

Faizal is married to the daughter of Umno permanent chairman Tan Sri Onn Ismail, who is also the Selangor State Assembly Speaker.  

He said the whole issue had become a valuable lesson for him and “I will take the punishment but will still like to serve the party and the people in the future.” 

“Let this be an important lesson for me to be more responsible when carrying out the mandate given by the party and the people,” he added. 

Faizal said he was thinking of quitting the moment this matter became public and it became clear what he had to do after his meeting with Dr Khir. 

“How can I continue to serve as a councillor and offer any advice if the same situation occurs to someone else? 

“It shows the importance of the need to respect the law especially now that the people have become more aware.” 

Faizal, who is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of public listed construction company Wijaya Baru Global Berhad, explained that the problem with the building plan approval centred round an access road reserve at the land. 

Source: The Star

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Zakaria still has not resigned, tries to explain good intentions

Was the land alienation to Zizah in good faith and in the best interest of the people ?

State governments may have the power to alienate land to anyone they choose but it is far from a carte blanche – the law requires that such decisions be made with discretion.

Planning and local government legal expert Derek Fernandez said, according to the National Land Code (NLC), the state government has the power to alienate land “to any person as it deems fit”.

“Nonetheless, where legislation gives a body or government the discretion to do something ‘as it is deemed fit or necessary’, it does not mean that the power is unfettered, and that they can do as they like,” he said, citing a 1979 Federal Court judgment (Pengarah Tanah dan Galian Wilayah Persekutuan vs Sri Lempah Enterprise Sdn Bhd) as an example.

In the case, then Justice Raja Azlan Shah had pointed out that as government departments and public authorities had great powers and influence, it was important that these be exercised in accordance with the law to safeguard the interests of ordinary citizens.

“Every legal power must have limits, otherwise there is dictatorship. In particular, it is stringent requirement that a discretion should be exercised for a proper purpose, and that it should not be exercised unreasonably,” he said.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo had said the land was alienated to her because there were no encumbrances. He later added that since the land was zoned as “kediaman” (residential), building approval was not needed.

Fernandez said the state government, when alienating land, must act reasonably and fairly, and take into account relevant consideration and acts consistent with the NLC.

“It must act in good faith and in the best interest of the people and the government,” he added.

Source: The Sun

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RM1.3 million land bought at RM180,000

Istana Idaman built on alienated land

Zakaria explains his good intentions

Port Klang assemblyman and Klang Umno division chief Datuk Zainal @ Zakaria Md Deros, in a tearful statement, admitted he made a mistake in designing his house in a “probably inappropriate” location. However, he remains defiant to the order to resign as a Klang municipal councillor.

Zakaria also said he wondered if his services and contributions thus far would be jeopardised because of this unexpected controversy.

“I hope with this extensive explanation, I will no longer be looked upon as a wakil rakyat and a councillor who knowingly dodged the laws and regulations set by the local authority,” he said.

He apologised if the family’s good intention was taken the wrong way.

Source: The Sun

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Zakaria Deros