(From left) LBS executive director Datuk Joey Lim Hock Guan, Worldwide CEO Datin Paduka Norazlina Zakaria, State Secretary Datuk Mohd Amin Ahmad Ahya (partially hidden), recipient Shamsul Zamri Sam, Amiruddin Shari. MBI CEO Norita Mohd Sidek and State Financial Officer Datuk Nor Azmie Diron.

SHAH ALAM: Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated (MBI), a corporate body established under the Selangor State Government, has ended two decades of waiting for 203 Idaman Warisan homeowners with the key handover ceremony at Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building. 

Formerly known as Taman Arcadia, this project has been abandoned since 1999. However, revitalisation efforts began with the signing of an agreement in September 2016 between MBI and the Strategic Consortium, which involved Worldwide Holdings Bhd (Worldwide) and LBS Bina Group Bhd (LBS).

The open tender system and transparent project implementation have helped the state government to generate a revenue amounting to RM500mil and Idaman Warisan was handed over to the original homeowners without incurring additional cost on them. 

“With this strategic collaboration and efficient corporate governance, the Selangor State Government is committed to delivering the best outcome to the rakyat. In the previous agreement, the project will be delivered vacant like the rest of the housing project. However, I have also announced additional incentives for Idaman Warisan homeowners in 2018 whereby every home will be fitted with basic home appliances such as a television set, kitchen cabinets, air-conditioners, water heaters, and refrigerator,” said Selangor Chief Minister Datuk Seri Amiruddin Shari. 

“Also, a few owners were not contactable because they have moved and some have already passed away. Thanks to the close cooperation between the government and private organisation that this project is finally completed,” he added. 

Sharudin Ismail, representing the sentiments of the Idaman Warisan homeowners, expressed his gratitude towards the completion of the project. 

“Thank you so much to the Selangor State Government for their support and assistance on revitalising this project. This is a great gift and historic moment for my family as we have waited 21 years for this house. 

“Although the project was abandoned, all the homeowners still have to service the loan because we don’t want to be declared bankrupt,” he said.