THE mention of Bukit Antarabangsa, which literally translates to “International Hill”, conjures up images of an elite hillside neighbourhood.
The area’s majestic hilltop, panoramic views and pockets of green lung are among reasons that draw people to this residential enclave in Ulu Kelang.
The other plus point is its close proximity to Kuala Lumpur with access to major highways such as Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) and Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh).
Bukit Antarabangsa and Lembah Jaya are state constituencies parked under the Ampang parliamentary seat.
However, living in a hilly area has its drawbacks.
Bukit Antarabangsa candidates are (from left) Ting, Sasha Lyna and Mohd Kamri.
Among the long-standing pain points for Bukit Antarabangsa are slope instability and land use issues that have contributed to a number of major landslides.
Bukit Antarabangsa’s history is marked by the Highland Towers tragedy in 1993, the major Bukit Antarabangsa landslide of 1999, Taman Hillview disaster in 2002 and Taman Bukit Mewah landslide in 2008.
These were followed by a moratorium on hillslope development in 2008.
However, residents associations in this constituency recently claimed development was still being approved in the area.
Taman TAR residents are questioning MPAJ’s decision to clear land and chop down trees from the trailhead at Taman TAR near Kelab Darul Ehsan all the way up to the old Ampang reservoir.
After a few catastrophic landslides, Ampang Jaya City Council (MPAJ) set up a Slope Unit in 2009 and implemented its questionable Slope-Management Action Plan.
R. Sidhu, 50, a neighbourhood activist and project management consultant, said Bukit Antarabangsa residents were constantly anxious when it rained.
“The authorities have no proactive slope maintenance plan because such projects are costly.
“The joint management bodies of condominiums sitting on slopes don’t have funds for the job.
Pekan Ampang is dotted with cottage industries and businesses.
“Some of us have been in touch with MPAJ and the Ampang MP to propose amendments and guidelines for slope management.
“This is a crucial job for the next Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman to look into,” he told StarMetro.
Sidhu said councillors did not seem to understand their roles as people’s representatives nor the importance of having townhall meetings.
“They don’t understand issues regarding hillside conservation and the laws under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.
“That is why we need specialists and professionals sitting as councillors,” he said.
Bukit Antarabangsa comprises affluent neighbourhoods like Taman Sri Ukay and Taman Tun Abdul Razak (Taman TAR) which have palatial homes, as well as middle- to high-end condominiums.
Land clearing, tree felling
Taman TAR resident Rosenani Abu Bakar, 69, a retired professor and a soil scientist, questioned MPAJ’s decision to carry out land clearing and felling of trees from the trailhead at Taman TAR near Kelab Darul Ehsan all the way up to the old Ampang reservoir.
The bustling Kampung Baru Ampang falls under the Bukit Antarabangsa state constituency.
A check by StarMetro found that MPAJ had erected a notice board at the site, indicating that it was carrying out “cleaning and maintenance work on the slope for safety reasons” for three months from June until Sept 13.
“We use this trail for our daily hikes because it is a lovely road with lots of old trees and a serene view. Now it looks horrible with debris everywhere.
“In the last two weeks, we have seen large vehicles plying this road and trees being chopped.
“If MPAJ is concerned about safety, it should not destroy the trees.
“Use the taxpayers’ money to conserve the environment instead. Without the trees, the fragile soil on the slope will become worse,” said Rosenani.
Resident Juanita Md Khir, 71, said MPAJ should be more proactive in engaging with residents via townhall meetings, especially on anything to do with the Draft Local Plan 2035 (RT2035).
“At the RT2035 public hearing last year, we questioned several issues regarding compliance.
“Until today, there have been no updates; we are being kept in the dark,” she said.
Social entrepreneur Sasibai Kimis, 44, who has lived in Ampang Jaya since 1996, said tree felling had been rampant of late in parts of Taman TAR.
“We have had increasingly more flash floods, water disruptions and other issues as the local authority’s decisions are made without careful consideration.
“The local council and the state government need to protect our green lungs before we all drown,” she said.
Ampang Jaya Rimba Collective (AJ Rimba) coordinator Noina Baharuddin said more awareness of laws and roles between constituents and the local government was needed.
“The local government has to set the tone to engage with the community about drafting a plan. Anything to do with development and land use must refer to the local plan,” she said.
In Bandar Baru Ampang, near the Seri Nilam flats, residents are more concerned about household issues like water cuts and area cleanliness. They want a reliable representative to help them.
“They worry about lifts breaking down and how to feed their families as food prices go up.
“As a lawyer, I want to help the urban poor by calling for more transparency in the local council,” said Bersatu candidate Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif after a ceramah.
Across town is Pekan Ampang, which is predominantly made up of Chinese-run businesses.
Since 2008, the seat has been under three-term assemblyman and ex-mentri besar and Selangor Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
In the 14th General Election in 2018, Azmin beat PAS and Barisan Nasional candidates to win Bukit Antarabangsa with a 25,512 majority.
Saturday’s polls will see a three-cornered battle between PKR’s Mohd Kamri Kamaruddin, Muda’s Melanie Ting and Sasha Lyna for Bukit Antarabangsa.
Ting said she planned to work with AJ Rimba to protect the Bukit Antarabangsa environment.
Having more public transportation including feeder buses to ply the slopes and local council accountability in addressing overdevelopment are other issues that she has in mind.
Speaking to a big crowd at a ceramah, Mohd Kamri said he would work towards a budget allocation to build a school in Bukit Antarabangsa.
“A developer surrendered a piece of land to build the school, so hopefully, with the unity government, the budget can be approved next year or in 2025,” he said.
