KUALA LUMPUR: The state agency developing the Datum Jelatek condominium in Taman Keramat says that 1,097 bumiputera buyers have registered their interest to buy 674 units in the project, dispelling claims by some that the project would turn the area into a “Chinese district”.

“As of Jan 14, 2015, the project has received overwhelming support. So far a total of 1,097 bumiputera buyers have registered and it has exceeded 674 units available,” Selangor State Development Corp (PKNS) general manager Azlan Md Alifiah said in a statement yesterday.

Datumcorp International Sdn Bhd (DCI), which is developing the project, has pegged the price of a unit at around RM700,000.

Some 100 residents protesting the development of the luxury project on Sunday turned aggressive and broke into the construction site to halt the project which they feared would turn the area into a “Chinese district”.

The residents began marching towards the site before proceeding to tear down the zinc barrier surrounding it, with several protesters trespassing on the site.

However, police managed to bring the situation under control and the crowd soon dispersed. Two police trucks were seen at the site.

The residents are opposing the Datum Jelatek project because they say it will transform the Malay-majority area into a “Chinese district”, as they believe only the Chinese can afford to purchase units at the luxury condominium.

Azlan said they would initiate legal action against those who had vandalised property on the project site and that DCI had lodged a police report.

He also refuted claims that PKNS and DCI had never met with the residents on the implementation of the project, saying that both the state subsidiary and DCI had met with Taman Keramat residents on several occasions.

“We have organised meetings and dialogues with the residents, and we even received positive feedback from all of them,” he said.

Yesterday morning, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali questioned whether the rowdy protesters who broke into the Datum Jelatek condominium construction site on Sunday were actual residents of the area.

“Who are they? Are you sure? Are you sure they are locals? Besides Salleh (Samad, chairman of the Datum Jelatek Action Committee), who else was there?” he asked reporters in Shah Alam.

Mohamed Azmin said he was not averse towards meeting the residents, adding that he was willing to hear out their objections over the project.

He said the state was duty-bound to ensure any project or development would not create racial tension.

He also denied that there were racial elements in the project as said by participants of the protest.

“PKNS will produce a detailed report to prove the contrary, that an important development must not involve race,” he said.

He said there would be a town hall meeting between residents and state agencies to resolve the issue.

Salleh had reportedly warned of possible “bloodshed” if Selangor proceeded with the project, saying it was a threat to the Malays. — The Malaysian Insider

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on January 27, 2015.