KUALA LUMPUR – The parent company of Casa Inspirasi Sdn Bhd, which is planning to develop a controversial RM1.5 billion project at the Ulu Bertam forest reserve, has responded to the protests by reiterating its adherence to regulatory requirements.
In a written response to The Vibes, LBS Bina Group Bhd explained that necessary studies are currently in progress, citing both the environmental impact assessment and the social impact assessment.
“Both of these assessments are governed by environmental authorities, and LBS has also engaged geotech consultants for feasible studies,” it said, adding that a traffic impact assessment consultant has been appointed in order to ease traffic congestion at Kea Farm.
“LBS will study the outcome of the above assessments to find viable mechanisms as part of the future moves prior to any development and ensure compliance with all measures,” it said.
LBS Bina Group Bhd is the parent company to both LBS Holdings Sdn Bhd and Casa Inspirasi Sdn Bhd, the latter of which had signed a joint venture agreement with the Cameron Highlands District Council in March last year.
When The Vibes contacted LBS Bina Group Berhad public relations and media team head Norazian Abdul Aziz for clarification on the current status of the project, she stood by the official response provided by management.
She disclosed, however, that Casa Inspirasi does not have the authority to interact with media as queries are redirected to the centralised media department at LBS Holdings.
A petition on Change.org against the planned development highlighted that the project will be in opposition to the State Green Border Initiative advocated by Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, which had been passed by the Pahang government last November.
With a gross development value of RM1.5 billion, the project will be taking place on land that is said to have a gradient of more than 35º and classified as an Environmentally Sensitive Area (Level 1).
This puts it at risk of disasters if the area is not properly maintained, said the petition.
“Year after year, forest areas are plundered by irresponsible parties for never-ending development projects without considering the negative effects on local ecosystems.
“These projects are initiated regardless of the many buildings in the area that are currently empty due to locals not renting there,” read the petition. – The Vibes, February 10, 2022
