KUALA LUMPUR – Residents in the affluent Bukit Bandaraya area were apparently in the dark over plans to develop a luxury apartment in the area adjacent to a flood retention pond, contrary to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) claim.
The proposed development has raised serious environmental concerns among locals there, who had only last October endured a major scare when a heavy downpour led to a landslide at Federal Hill.
Speaking to The Vibes, Bukit Bandaraya Residents’ Association advisor Datuk M. Ali rubbished the local government’s claim that engagements were held prior to the conditional approval given to Sri Haneco Sdn Bhd in April for the development along Lorong Maarof in Bangsar.
Instead, he said residents have been promised, at their request, that DBKL would incorporate and link up the retention pond and surrounding areas to the Jalan Rumpai recreational park, with negotiations ongoing since the early 2000s.
“This is absurd, they are outright liars,” he said, in response to The Vibes’ article earlier yesterday that DBKL had held discussions and acquired approval from residents there for the development to take place, in accordance with Rule 5 of the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982.
Rule 5 allows for public participation in planning and development control by the government.
A source from DBKL said the conditional approval for the construction of the luxury apartment would not affect the artificial pond, which will instead be upgraded to become enclosed.
Ali, who is also the chairman of Selamatkan Kuala Lumpur – a coalition of resident associations in Bangsar – said even as late as March 23 this year, a site visit by KL Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah did not mention anything about the development.
My question to DBKL is, what guarantee are they giving us that the retention pond won’t be touched? And even if so, with it being on the fringes of the pond, how can they confirm that it won’t have any impact?
“We’ve already faced enough floods in the Klang Valley. Lorong Maarof and Bangsar are doomed due to the outright disastrous planning approvals by DBKL and silent deals in alienating lands.
“With the recent landslide, why are they still adamant about going ahead with this plan? Where are the traffic and environment impact assessments? They have not even shown these to us!” an infuriated Ali said.
Group to challenge ‘crooked’ deal, wants government intervention
Ali said several of the residents’ association committee members have agreed to initiate a protest via a signature campaign, and further efforts will be made to rope in the support of other residents.
Additionally, the group will engage the service of lawyers to challenge what he described as a “crooked” deal in a bid to protect the environment.
Ali also called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to intervene in the proposed development.
“They must take action; they can’t allow this to carry on.
We urge the MACC in particular to act based on information already available in the public sphere, and to look into this questionable agreement.
“The Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and the Lands and Mines Department must also take responsibility in answering to KL folks,” he said, while urging Federal Territories lawmakers to voice out on the issue.
Ali added that a press conference will be called soon, once the residents’ association receives further clarity on the next course of action.
According to the One-Stop Centre portal under the Housing and Local Government Ministry, the conditional approval granted to Sri Haneco on April 22 was for development for land lot numbers 481349 and 481350.
The project will be developed in two phases, the first being the consolidation (“penyatuan”) of land for the purpose of upgrading the water retention pond by making it enclosed (“secara tertutup”), and the second being the residential development. – The Vibes, September 4, 2022
