A POTENTIAL reclassification of 1,112.9ha of two permanent forest reserves in Ampang has caused alarm and concern to ripple through the community.
A group of concerned citizens, who discovered the anomaly, said the change was reflected in the I-Plan integrated land use system, but they had not been aware of any degazettement process or public announcement.
They found that this had affected the Ampang and Hulu Gombak Forest Reserves, which were previously classified as “Forest” (Hutan), but had now been converted to “Empty Land” (Tanah Kosong).
A further 1,170.8ha of several other land lots adjacent to forest reserves and some other plots of land found within the map have also been converted from their original “Residential” (Perumahan) land use status to “Empty Land”.
The large tract of land in question stretches from Taman Bukit Indah and Kampung Tengah near Lembah Ampang until the Klang Gates Dam.
The I-Plan is an integrated planning land use information system for Peninsular Malaysia that is managed and maintained by the Federal Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia).
The land use information detailed in the system is a collaborative effort between PLANMalaysia, state planning departments and local authorities.
Bukit Antarabangsa Task Force (BATF) committee member Surinder Singh said the finding was discovered during an ongoing conservation effort by residents of several neighbourhoods.
“The area in question showed changes made to the expressed conditions (syarat nyata) for land use on the MPAJ Existing Map.
“Initially, the status of these lots, comprising part of the Ampang and Hulu Gombak Forest Reserves, is that of a ‘Forest’ (Hutan), but has now been converted to
‘Empty Land’ (Tanah Kosong) on the I-Plan map.
“There is an entire degazettement process that needs to be observed if there is any intention to reclassify these areas, ” he said.
In comparison to I-Plan’s MPAJ Existing Map, the zoning map still classifies the area in question as forested land.
The zoning map specifies the land use of a certain area as dictated in the local authority’s local plan, while the existing map specifies the current land use of the area.
Surinder said they were unsure when the changes in the map were made, but it was reflected as early as last year.
“This is worrying as the land use for these lots are open to interpretation. Could it be later rezoned as commercial or industrial?” Surinder questioned.
Friends Of Sungai Klang Taman Melawati River Three founder Kennedy Michael said if there was any proposal to change the land use, the matter should be reflected in the MPAJ Local Plan 2020 or in the upcoming draft 2035.
“MPAJ has been gathering feedback for the draft 2035 plan by having focused group discussions.
“Any proposal for change in land use should have been brought up during these meetings, before the changes are made.
“Similar to other issues, stakeholders should be engaged during the planning process and not after the fact, ” he said.
Stakeholders and residents said obtaining information on the issue from the authorities and other agencies had not been easy.
“Since we found this in April this year, several residents have tried to learn more about when the changes were made and for what purpose.
“Unfortunately, we have not had much success, ” said Ukay Heights resident Tony Goh.
The 72-year-old said residents had become wary of the large-scale developments in Ampang which had caused negative impact.
“These developments have caused damage to the environment, so we are naturally upset when we hear of any party wanting to degazette and develop forested lands, ” he explained.
Kennedy added that they were already seeing the effects of these developments, with effluents and silt being channelled into the once pristine rivers.
The stakeholders and residents added that should the reclassification on the maps prove to be a mistake, it must be rectified immediately. No reason to worry
When contacted, MPAJ president Mohd Fauzi Mohd Yatim clarified that there were no proposals to change the land use of the area.
“We were made aware of the changes in the I-Plan maps and are similarly concerned as to how this happened.
“We received enquiries from concerned residents and want to reassure them that this was most probably a technical mistake.
“There have been no proposals presented to develop the area. Areas zoned as forested land or residential or private lots remain as such, ” he explained.
He added that MPAJ was working with PLANMalaysia to correct the mistake to avoid further confusion.
When contacted, a PLANMalaysia spokesperson echoed Mohd Yatim, saying they were aware of the mistake.
“We are finding out how the mistake was made and are in the process of rectifying it, ” he said.
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