Developer ordered to clean up Bangsar project site

Ali (left) and Raju (second from right) with residents showing the markings of how far the project site had initially extended onto the street. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star

THE developer of a commercial project under construction in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, has been directed to remove any hoarding and barriers placed on the adjacent public road.

This includes reopening scupper drains meant for flood mitigation, restoring parking bays that were encroached upon and returning the road to its original condition.

A Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) spokesperson said the directive was issued following complaints from stakeholders.

The matter was brought to the attention of Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, who visited the site near Bangsar Village II along with DBKL officers.

Some of the barriers occupied 25m of the road, equivalent to about five parking bays.

Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association advisor Datuk M. Ali, who was also present, said DBKL should carry out regular monitoring of the site.

“The developer has encroached into public space,” he said.

Many scupper drains in Jalan Maarof meant for flood mitigation were blocked with cement. It is now being removed after stakeholders complained to DBKL.

Ali added that the entire stretch of scupper drains along Jalan Maarof, between the intersections of Jalan Maarof and Jalan Ara, and Jalan Maarof and Jalan Telawi 4, had been blocked too.

Jalan Telawi and Bangsar Night Market Association deputy chairman P. Raju said the area around the night market had become messy and unsafe because of construction materials and debris strewn all over.

“Parts of the road kerb were raised so high that it was no longer safe for pedestrians,” Raju added.

When StarMetro visited the site, some of the barriers that had encroached onto the public road had been removed.

A portion of a public road behind the Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque was blocked by flimsy hoarding.

Along Jalan Maarof, dozens of scupper drains − previously covered with cement − were hastily reopened and there was construction debris on the street.

Some scupper drains were still covered with cement.

Ensuring that scupper drains are clear is part of DBKL’s interim measures to prevent flooding.

The land where the project is taking place was originally designated as public space but was sold to a third party more than 20 years ago.

It initially belonged to Bangsar Baru developer Eng Lian Enterprise Sdn Bhd but was surrendered to Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office (PPTGWP) in 1977 as part of the requirement for open space in their development site.

However, the land was never used for its designated purpose.

Instead, for almost 20 years, it housed a luxury car showroom until 2016 when the current landowner applied to develop it and the project was approved by DBKL in 2017.