Development anarchy in KL

IF only the rules are followed, there would not be such a mess in the nation’s capital city. True? Khan: ‘Now everything is topsyturvy’This is the question on the minds of city folks each time they see developments encroaching into green areas in their neighbourhoods. The rules in question are the ones contained in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 and the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982. The mess? The unlawful hillside developments taking shape in areas like Bukit Sri Persekutuan (Federal Hill), Jalan Gallagher and Bukit Tunku. Despite having the rules, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has continued to totally disregard them by going ahead to approve ad-hoc developments in the city. Ratepayers and residents are extremely unhappy with the way planning decisions are being made and projects approved in the city. But what irked the city denizens most is the fact that despite being major taxpayers, they have absolutely no say in the way their city is being run. In the case of Federal Hill, the question puzzling the residents is how an area designated as “institutional” (police reserve) has suddenly become commercial overnight? What piqued the residents most is the fact that they have never been told by the local authorities concerned, in this case the DBKL, about what is happening there. Read more

Residents of Sri Bukit Persekutuan say no to new development

RESIDENTS of Sri Bukit Persekutuan are all up in arms to fight against the new development in the adjacent area.The residents and owners of Sri Bukit Persekutuan have come up together to oppose the proposed change in land usage and the proposed development of Lot 55 plot A, section 70 on Jalan Travers. The 2.5ha land located between the Caltex Petrol Station and Jalan Travers Police Station, is currently still a green area and categorized under institution use. The land belongs to the government.It is learnt that a proposal has been submitted to construct two 30-storey towers and one-16-storey tower on top of a common 5-storey podium block in return for building a new 3-storey police station and a 9-storey police quarters on 0.6ha of the piece of land.

(31-1-2008 The Star)