KUALA LUMPUR, 25 May 2012: Non-essential roads at the site of the Kuala Lumpur International Financial District (KLIFD) will close from 1 July 2012 when preliminary work begins.

The closure of the low-traffic inner roads is for public safety as well as to facilitate site preparation work.

1MDB (“1Malaysia Development Berhad”) Senior Vice-President Shahriza Embi said: “We are about to start among the largest earthwork, covering the size of about 20 football fields (12 hectares) and excavating about four storeys (20 metres) into the ground.”

The closure complies with regulations and takes into consideration the needs and safety of road users. 1MDB will be putting up notices to advise the public on the closure and the alternative roads.

The affected roads are Jalan Rawa, Jalan Selatan, Lorong Selatan, Jalan Melur, Jalan Melati, Jalan Delima and several unnamed roads as well as small lanes.

Roads leading to the wet market Pasar Baru Bukit Bintang are not affected by the closure.

Shahriza said: “We want businesses at the wet market to carry on as usual until a new replacement site is ready.”

“We are always responsive to the community. With sound guidance and cooperation of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, we are taking proactive steps to minimise impact, including submitting a voluntary Environment Impact Assessment,” she added. (This is a voluntary EIA as the size of KLIFD development is below 50 hectares, the trigger point for a mandatory EIA.)

1MDB Real Estate Sdn Bhd Design & Planning (Engineering) Vice-President Mohd Razib Ahmad Din, who briefed the media today, said: “We have started briefing those affected. Yesterday we held a briefing and participative dialogue session with the principals, headmasters and representatives of 11 schools in the KLIFD neighbourhood.”

1MDB is the Master Developer for the 75-acre (30-hectare) KLIFD and the 484-acre (196-hectare) Bandar Malaysia, which are twin projects towards strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s position as a nucleus for growth and transforming it into a 20 most liveable global city.

1MDB has successfully relocated 95% of occupants and businesses from the site and the rest is expected to move out soon to make way for the construction works.