FOR THE PEOPLE: Zainal stating his case outside the Shah Alam police headquarters after making the report — Pic: Gan Jin Liang

KUALA LUMPUR: While the Selangor government and Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan (YBK) are embroiled in controversy, Serendah residents feel they are losing another chance to develop the area.

"Over the years, we had hoped for some sort of development in Serendah and when plans for the UiTM campus came about, we were delighted. But now it looks like we will be disappointed again," said Lim Seong Khin, 55, a Serendah resident for the past 20 years.

"We had hoped the State government would allow the project. It's just unfortunate for the Serendah residents," he added.

Another resident, Lim Tai Hua, 34, said residents were looking forward to the UiTM project as it would have led to other developments in Serendah.

"The Serendah township needs development. The campus project would have opened up business opportunities for residents. Besides, youngsters can pursue higher education here. It is sad that the project will move to Jasin in Malacca," said Lim.

Meanwhile, Permodalan Yayasan Basmi Kemiskinan Sdn Bhd (PYBK), a subsidiary of (YBK), yesterday lodged a police report against Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, for alleged abuse of power at the Shah Alam headquarters.

Mohamed Tamin Mohd Yusof, a director in PYBK, was accompanied by YBK chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Sakom and some 20 Serendah residents.

The report was made following the Selangor government's decision on Thursday to seize the land, valued at RM45 million, even though YBK had settled quit rent arrears of RM5.7 million with the help of Yayasan Melaka.

"We lodged the report following the decision by the Hulu Selangor District to return the quit rent paid by PYBK on August 2009, amounting to RM1.28 million on Feb 4.

"The RM1.28 million quit rent was for the 88.4 hectares, owned by YBK in Serendah, the site for the proposed UiTM campus," Zainal said.

He added that one of the basic requirements when land was allocated for development was to pay the quit rent.

Zainal added that the 88.4 hectares in question had no connection with the RM5.7 million owed by YBK and the RM5.43 million that Yayasan Melaka came forward to pay.

"There was no reason given as to why the quit rent was being returned. This shows an abuse of power."

Zainal also questioned why the money was kept by the government for such a long time before returning it.

"This is certainly not right. Does this mean that the government can return the quit rent paid by the owner and say quit rent on the land was not paid," he said.

The Selangor executive council had on Feb 3, directed the Hulu Selangor District to return the payment.

It was reported that the State government had used YBK's inability to settle quit rent arrears running into millions of ringgit for portions of its 1,642-acre land bank, as "bargaining chips" to get the MB and exco member Rodziah Ismail, among others, appointed to the foundation's board of trustees.

Khalid had said that the State government's involvement in YBK would ensure transparency and accountability in handling its funds.