Former KL Tower operator plans more legal action over tower's temporary closure

• Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd is now planning to take legal action (committal proceedings) against the Ministry of Communications and the Federal Lands Commissioner, accusing them of a forcible takeover of the tower when it temporarily closed the KL Tower early on Thursday morning.

KUALA LUMPUR (April 17): The temporary closure of KL Tower — the first since it began operations — has not calmed the dispute between the government and former operator Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB).

MKLSB is now planning to take legal action (committal proceedings) against the Ministry of Communications and the Federal Lands Commissioner, accusing them of a forcible takeover of the tower when it temporarily closed the KL Tower early on Thursday morning.

Committal proceedings are used when someone is accused of disobeying court orders or interfering with ongoing legal cases.

At 12.30am on April 17, 2025, the Federal Land Commissioner (PTP) cordoned off the premises, following a public temporary closure notice issued by the Ministry of Communications just an hour earlier.

This action came after two eviction notices were sent to MKLSB on April 3 and 9, with the end of its concession on March 31.

The Ministry of Communications in its statement said that any ongoing operations by MKLSB was unauthorised, and the closure was done to protect visitor safety and allow the new operator to begin maintenance and upgrades.

In a letter dated April 17, 2025 sighted by The Edge, lawyers for Hydroshoppe Sdn Bhd and MKLSB, RDS Advocates & Solicitors, said they have been instructed to start committal proceedings against those involved in the forcible takeover of KL Tower, including the Communications Minister and PTP.

However, The Edge could not confirm if the legal application had actually been filed.

“We urge KK [Communications Ministry] and PTP [Federal Lands Commissioner] not to worsen the situation by handing over Menara KL [KL Tower] to LSH Service Master Sdn Bhd (LSHSM) as the matter has already been referred to the Court for justice to be served,” RDS Advocates & Solicitors said in the letter.

It said the ministry and PTP’s actions were a blatant disregard of the fact that there were ongoing civil suits and judicial review proceedings.

The letter referred to a lawsuit by MKLSB against LSHSM and the Malaysian government, challenging the KL Tower concession award. It also mentioned an upcoming interim injunction hearing on June 9, 2025, and a judicial review application to cancel the eviction notices issued by the Federal Lands Commissioner (PTP).

The High Court had recently dismissed a request by MKLSB and Hydroshoppe to temporarily block the award of the KL Tower concession to LSHSM, a subsidiary of Lim Seong Hai Capital Bhd (LSH) until the hearing of the interim injunction — sought to preserve the status quo throughout the legal process.

“The forcible thug-like conduct by KK, PTP, PDRM, and DBKL in supporting LSHSM to take over a concession currently under court dispute is a wanton destruction of the country's justice system,” RDS Advocates & Solicitors said in the letter.

Ahmad Fahmi, in a press conference, defended the KL Tower closure, saying PTP acted within its legal rights.

“The PTP has reviewed the issue and, based on existing laws, including Section 425 of the National Land Code, found there was sufficient legal basis and followed due process to enter the premises. This step was taken to facilitate the handover to the new concession holder,” he said. KL Tower and the land surrounding it is fully owned by the Government of Malaysia and is managed and overseen by the Ministry of Communications.

Fahmi said the government has identified several urgent matters that need to be addressed following the previous company’s exit, including the removal of assets or equipment.

He said LSHSM will take immediate action to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors to KL Tower are preserved. LSHSM is expected to update the ministry of the timeframe needed for improvements soon.

MKLSB and Hydroshoppe filed the lawsuit to challenge the KL Tower concession awarded to LSHSM, after the government finalised a 20-year agreement and land lease with the company in March. This was despite the award announced in May last year.

LSHSM’s 20-year concession is to operate and maintain KL Tower and its surrounding areas, which measure about 10.08 acres. The agreement was to take effect from April 1, 2025.

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