Excavators and other vehicles spotted near the popular hiking spot of Bukit Enggang.
MORE earthworks at Bukit Enggang, a popular hiking spot in Kajang, Selangor, have got locals worried.
They said no signboard was erected in the area, also known as the Sungai Long Hike, to give details about the purpose of the works.
A resident, who declined to be named, said the latest works had encroached onto the main hiking trail.
“We noticed that trees were felled and soil removed in May,” he told StarMetro.
Parts of the trail are now inaccessible due to the earthworks.
The trail comprises mostly dirt road, interspersed with patches of tarred and gravel roads.
Another local, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, urged the authorities to clarify the nature of the project.
“We need more green spaces here and we are worried about possible soil erosion due to the clearing of the forest,” he added.
At least six excavators were spotted at the site during a check by StarMetro on a weekday last month.
Several lorries were seen moving in and out of the area, believed to be transporting soil.
A Hulu Langat Land and District Office spokesperson, when contacted by StarMetro, said the work involved the construction of a recreational project on privately-owned land.
“The earthworks have received approval from Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj),” he added.
Kajang assemblyman Hee Loy Sian also said the land in the area was privately owned.
MPKj has yet to respond to requests for comments at press time.
Another local resident, who only gave her name as Charlie, hoped the hiking trail would remain pristine and untouched.
“We have made efforts to beautify the area.
“At one spot along the trail, there is a small community garden managed by volunteers.
“We also hold gatherings here every morning and carry out group exercise sessions,” she added.
First-time visitor Nazirah Abdullah, who came with three friends, expressed dismay at the state of Bukit Enggang.
“We were expecting beautiful scenery but were greeted by this unsightly view instead,” she said.
On Nov 11, 2020, StarMetro wrote about unexplained earthworks at Bukit Enggang in its report, “In the dark over nature of project.”
In December of the same year, MPKj had issued a stop-work order for failure to comply with terms set by the local council.
It is unclear whether the latest project is related to the earlier one, but locals note there is more activity this time around.
It was previously reported that Bukit Enggang is made up of 600 plots of private land, each measuring about 0.4ha.
Most have been left idle because of the area’s inaccessible location and lack of infrastructure.
Excavators and other vehicles spotted near the popular hiking spot of Bukit Enggang.
Visitors enjoying nature at Bukit Enggang, also known as Sungai Long Hike. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star
A Hulu Langat Land and District Office spokesperson says the land at Bukit Enggang is being cleared for a recreational project.
StarMetro’s report on Nov 11, 2020.
