PETALING JAYA (Jan 29): The landmark A&W fast-food joint at Section 52 here will be demolished after the 0.980-acre parcel had been approved for development, reported The Star.

The approval was granted during a recent one-stop-centre (OSC) committee meeting, said the daily citing a source from Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

This was confirmed by Bukit Gasing assemblyman R Rajiv, who said the landowner KUB Malaysia Bhd had received approvals from the council for the site redevelopment and its development plans — a single 20-storey office tower that includes a four-storey carpark.

The Edge Financial Daily on Jan 8 had reported the site will be redeveloped into the first transit-oriented development in Petaling Jaya that will take advantage of the nearby Taman Jaya light rail transit station.

“I am deeply saddened that this iconic building is going to be torn down and I really wish that they didn’t have to do it.

“However, we also have to respect that this is a private land and the owner is allowed to develop the land in accordance with the guidelines and law,” Rajiv told The Star.

The daily said this meant the demolition of the iconic restaurant “will take place anytime”.

The A&W restaurant was opened in 1965 as the first drive-in of the American franchise in Malaysia.

The property, which was reportedly headed for demolition in 2014, was given a reprieve pending approvals for its redevelopment.