Tempers flare as KL Plan is revealed - The Star

May 16, 2008 By BAVANI M and YIP YOKE TENG

TEMPERS flared, heated words were exchanged and some even uttered curses as residents voiced their dissatisfaction when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) revealed the contents of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 yesterday at City Hall.

Before Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan launched the plan, residents from Federal Hill, Bukit Gasing and Bangsar were seen scrutinising parts of the plan that was exhibited at the lobby of the DBKL headquarters.

Popular document: Hard copy versions of the plan were selling like hot cakes during the launch.

It did not take them long to pick out the discrepancies as many were present with their legal advisers.

When it dawned on them that some spots in their neighbourhoods had been earmarked for development, some started arguing in a loud manner and were even heard hurling expletives.

One of the more vocal groups were the Federal Hill residents when their greatest fear became a reality after discovering that their neighbourhood land which was formerly Institutional (Police Reserve land) had been rezoned as Commercial.

“I am disappointed and shocked at this turn of events. What was earlier zoned as government institutional land has now become commercial overnight and this was done without consultation with the community.

“This would significantly impact the quality of our lives here,” Federal Hill resident Amar Khan said.

“We did not expect this at all,” resident Pook Li Yoon said.

“We thought that they would take into consideration that the land is institutional and hence of low density as per the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSO2020). We are in shock at this blatant disregard of the rules,” she said.

Federal Hill legal adviser Derek Fernandez questioned the legality of the plan, which he said is in direct contravention of the KLSP2020.

“I want to know who approved the plan. He should go to jail,” the visibly-upset Fernandez said.

Fernandez said that under the law, before preparing the draft plan (and it was prepared two years ago), there must be a pre-consultative process under Sec 12 (a) of the Local Government Act 1976 (2002) and that DBKL did not do this.

Fernandez also said that policy CF3 of the KLSP2020 ensures that land designated as Institutional use (Police Reserve) must only be used for public purposes.

“Public purpose means public facilities like parks, museum, educational facilities and similar public facilities. This new development directly contravenes policy CF3.

“We will demand who had changed the land status and why there was no-pre-consultation. They are supposed to implement policies in the plan and this is not implementation but a violation of it,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Gasing residents were also not happy with what the plan revealed, as there are proposed developments near the riverbank area.

One resident who identified himself as Vincent said the land surrounding Bukit Gasing is supposed to be meant for recreation but the plan shows that there will be developments right into the riverbank and this contravened the KLSP2020.

“The plan shows substantial development is being proposed here, it’s simply ridiculous,” Vincent said.

When contacted, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee expressed his concern over the proposed development and said he would be seeking more details on the matter as well asking to see the necessary papers.

Bangsar residents led by the Bangsar Baru Residents Association president Datuk George Joseph was also spotted checking out the plan and was heard commenting that he was not happy with the high density infrastructure taking place in the Medan Serai area.

Tan Poh Eng, 71, wanted to check the zoning status of his land in Segambut, which was zoned as agricultural.

“I was surprised to discover that there are proposals to break it up and I am worried about it,” he said, adding that he would be submitting his objections soon.

Pook said that DBKL has given residents six weeks to view and object to the draft plan and that during the recent round table discussions with the Kuala Lumpur MP’s, it was recommended that the hearing be extended to another three months.

“After all they took 26 years to produce the draft plan so what’s the hurry?” she asked.