Holding the objection letter to be presented to PPTGWP are (from right) Skuad Prihatin Kuala Lumpur chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Ali Akbar, Razali and Lim’s representative.
THE 3.86ha land sandwiched between the Taman Intan Baiduri lake and Sungai Jinjang in Kuala Lumpur, which was in the process of being degazetted for a mixed development project, must not be touched. Instead it should be upgraded and turned into public parks, says Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Stating his commitment to increase public open spaces in Kuala Lumpur, Annuar said areas that have been gazetted as open space must be protected, while all development projects must be scrutinised in every aspect.
“I have asked Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to plan and develop the land sandwiched between the Taman Intan Baiduri lake and Sungai Jinjang as a public space while the land surrounding the lakes should be developed into public parks, ” he said in a statement.
The minister was responding to a StarMetro report on Jan 25 that authorities had initiated the process of degazetting the land reserved for public space for a proposed mixed development project that included an affordable housing scheme. The proposal was met with concern by stakeholders, who were worried about the loss of the space and lack of information about the project.
Annuar said Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan would be responsible for one of the upgrades as part of its corporate social responsibility contribution.
“Seven flood retention ponds there have not been well maintained.
“I will also ask for the areas surrounding the ponds to be linked with a 33km bicycle track for cyclists, ” he said in a statement posted in his official Facebook account on Monday.
He said Kuala Lumpur must be developed into a more liveable city with attractive greenery and not turned into a concrete jungle.
“The area in question is rapidly developing with increasing population density.
“There is a need to upgrade its infrastructure, public facilities and (have) quality recreation areas for the people, ” he added.
The plot, known as Lot 80835, was gazetted as “land for public purpose” on April 17,2015.
Located on the borders of Kepong and Batu constituencies, the land owned by the ministry is currently being used by DBKL for its nursery.
The Federal Territory Land Executive Committee has moved to degazette Lot 80835 according to Section 64 of the National Land Code. The notice of the proposed revocation was issued on Jan 11 in the Federal Government gazette.
Revocation process of the land will be carried out provided there are no objections from the public.
Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PPTGWP) will handle the objections for the proposed land revocation.
Meanwhile, a representative of Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and three non-governmental organisations turned up at PPTGWP yesterday to file their objections to the degazetting of the land. Yesterday was the only day set for the objection period. The three NGOs were Gerakan Martabat Pejuang Negara (GMPN), Skuad Prihatin Kuala Lumpur and Selamatkan Kuala Lumpur.In his statement, Lim said the proposed plans were against the Local Agenda 21 that stressed on sustainable development and it did not take into account the needs of the people living there.
“Local stakeholders were also not engaged in the said plans or the degazetting of the land.
“Detailed information such as the developer’s identity, types of development and the tender process should be made transparent to the public.
“Furthermore, development projects such as this should be viewed as ‘non-essential’ during this movement control order and the government should prioritise the welfare of the people during the Covid-19 pandemic, ” he added.
GMPN president Mej (Rtd) Razali Zakaria said the mixed development would increase the population density in the area and strip existing residents of a recreational park.
“We want the green area to be maintained as it is.
“The population density of the area is high and adding another few blocks of development would not help.
“We also hope the government will engage with the people on the plans to develop the place, ” he said in a press conference later held at PPTGWP.
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