Kedah MB: Aman Central Mall project to go on

Friday, 20 January 2012 08:36

ALOR SETAR: The RM500mil Aman Central Mall project at Lebuhraya Darulaman here will go on whether the Madrasah Salihiah surau is demolished or not, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak.

He said that if the Alor Setar High Court decides in favour of the Madrasah Salihiah committee, which filed a writ of summons on Jan 9 to stop the demolition of the surau, the state government would leave it untouched but still go ahead with the mall project.

The court is scheduled to hear the case on Feb 6.

"I believe the problem will be solved. The mall, which will become a new landmark in Alor Setar, will be built.

"If the court decides against the demolition of the madrasah, let it remain there. We will abide by the decision of the court," he told reporters here Thursday.

Azizan said the Aman Central mall will augment the development of Alor Setar and provide jobs for about 2,000 people.

The mall will replace the Tunku Yaacob shopping complex which has remained abandoned for more than 30 years despite changing hands from developer to developer.

Azizan said a 4,800 sq ft surau would be built in the mall, adding that it will be on the ground floor to facilitate the entry and exit of worshippers.

He said the madrasah could be relocated to any of six possible sites nearby which the Kedah Islamic Affairs Council (MAIK) has identified.

The mentri besar also said that a five-star hotel will be built on a site opposite the mall to boost the area's growth.

The wakaf land where the surau is located is part of a 2.8ha plot acquired by the state for the development of Aman Central Mall that is scheduled for completion in 2014.

Azizan had said eralier that the state government paid RM1.48mil to MAIK for the land.

From The Star