Bent on tall buildings in Ipoh

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir is on a collision course with the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

He is adamant that buildings over 85.3m above sea level or 17-storeys high be allowed in the centre of Ipoh against the department’s restriction.

Giving his executive talk to Ipoh City Council personnel at Stadium Indera Mulia recently, Dr Zambry said he had instructed Datuk Bandar Datuk Roshidi Hashim to approve tall buildings.

“The time has come for Ipoh to have skyscrapers like Penang, Selangor and Johor,” he said.

Dr Zambry was reported to have urged DCA to review its regulation that does not allow tall buildings to be built in the city.

The DCA, on the other hand, said the restriction on high buildings in Ipoh is based on the requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha was reported to have said the requirements were imposed for safety reasons.

Dr Zambry said he failed to understand the logic used by DCA to stop the construction of tall buildings in Ipoh.

“I can understand if the ban is enforced around the airport area but for the department to give a blanket ban for the entire city just defies logic,” he added.

He said if the state followed the department’s ruling, there would be no skyscrapers in the city.

“We will have to be contended with the present height of buildings here,” he said.

Dr Zambry later announced a RM500 bonus for the city council personnel.

Later at a press conference, Roshidi confirmed that the council had received several applications to build tall buildings in the city.

“The council will do what it can to assist the developers,” he said.

On the bonus payment, Roshidi said it would benefit 2,500 of its personnel.

“It will cost us RM1.14mil and it will be payable in March,” he added.

By The Star