Lee (standing) objecting to the proposed reduction in minimum distance between heavy industries and residential areas, during the public hearing on MPKL’s 2030 draft local plan in Pulau Carey.
CONCERNS over industrial developments took centre stage at the public hearing session on Kuala Langat Municipal Council’s (MPKL) 2030 Draft Local Plan.
Among the main concerns was the proposal to reduce the minimum distance between heavy industries and settlements from 500m to 300m.
Kuala Langat Environment Action Association (PTASKL) legal adviser Lee Chee Kwang said this went against the advice of environmental experts.
“Many experts have said that the 500m distance is important to ensure residents’ safety.
“Even now, there are factories that are not complying with this rule, so imagine if it is reduced to 300m.
“If this amendment is passed, it will legalise at least two factories operating close to housing areas and schools, which will be hazardous to the people,” he claimed.
PTASKL secretary Pua Lay Peng urged MPKL to be more mindful of approving industrial facilities operating near Sungai Langat.
“The presence of industries along the river can affect the operation of the Labohan Dagang Water Treatment Plant,” she said.
StarMetro reported on Sept 3, 2020, that the plant would supply water to nearly 120,000 households in Kuala Langat after the installation of main pipes to be completed this year.
The public hearing session, held on Pulau Carey, was chaired by Selangor local government and public transport committee chairman Ng Sze Han.
Also present were state housing, urban well-being and entrepreneur development committee chairman Rodziah Ismail and MPKL president Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim.
Ng explained that the session was not about providing feedback but to gather objections on the draft local plan.
On Jan 18 last year, StarMetro reported that MPKL was planning to amend the plan to better integrate the municipality with the state government’s development policies.
The 2030 draft plan is to replace the 2020 version.
The municipal council held a public inspection from Jan 4 to 29 last year but extended it to Feb 18 due to the movement control order.
A local plan is an official document that spells out the zoning type, land use and planned developments in a municipality or city.
A draft is prepared by the local authority, with public input, before it is reviewed by the state planning committee prior to gazettement.
