AFTER months of garnering support and raising funds, residents living near Bukit Dinding in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, have filed an application for judicial review against the approval for a development project at the hill.
Coalition of Section 5 Residents Associations task force chairman Shahurain Zainuddin said they believe the approval process by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) was flawed.
“The original environmental impact assessment, which was done in 2017, was meant for a six to 12-storey building.
“This means the development order from DBKL was issued based on outdated information that does not reflect the current project,” he told StarMetro.
Last year, DBKL reportedly issued a development order for the project to build two 26-storey condominiums at the site.
Friends of Bukit Dinding president Jonson Chong said the interest group was helping to raise funds to cover the legal cost.
“We are working with the task force to raise RM100,000 and have managed to collect about RM25,000 since December.
“Section 5 residents in Wangsa Maju have the locus standi (to file the application) because they live within 200m of the project site,” he said.
Chong said the court set March 16 to hear the leave application for judicial review that was filed in December.
Located at the border between Wangsa Maju and Setiawangsa, Bukit Dinding is a green lung that is a popular recreational venue among locals.
However, in September last year, news broke out that a development was planned there, sparking protests by surrounding residents.
On Sept 26, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah announced that 25% of the site must be maintained as a green area.
He also stressed that no work should take place until engagement sessions with residents were finalised, although no deadline was given.
The residents had also lodged a police report on Oct 18 over the project.
In several media reports, locals highlighted their concern about potential landslides at the site, which could threaten their homes.
In a StarMetro report on Nov 5, the developer Nova Pesona Sdn Bhd said the parcel of land had been designated for residential use since 1983.
The company said the development was also gazetted under the then Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also Setiawangsa MP, had previously signed a declaration of commitment against any future development of Bukit Dinding at a town hall meeting on Nov 17 last year organised by Friends of Bukit Dinding.
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