A PROJECT to build an event hall next to a school has upset locals in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.
Located next to SK Setapak, the 0.98ha site currently houses a disused property sales gallery.
Taman Tiara Titiwangsa Residents Association committee member Sylvester Navaratnam said they learned about the project last year after a notice board was placed near the site’s entrance.
“There had been no activity but we recently saw workers carrying out land-clearing works.
“We learned there was a plan to build an event hall,” he said.
SK Setapak Parent-Teacher Association deputy chairman Mohd Nur Hafidz Ikram raised concerns over traffic and safety of the schoolchildren.
“The congestion will worsen if the project goes ahead,” he said, adding that the school had 500 pupils including 80 special needs children.
Resident Nurisman Maarop said there should be sufficient buffers between schools and commercial venues to minimise disruptions.
Another resident, Zulkifli Martin said the presence of commercial businesses would increase noise pollution in the area.
Checks by StarMetro found the site fenced up with a notice stating it was being rented from November 2023 to Oct 31, 2026.
Sylvester said according to the draft Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040, the site was reserved for public use.
He said residents had also highlighted their concerns to various authorities.
They also conducted a land search, Sylvester said, adding that the site was found to belong to the Federal Land Commissioner, a government agency under the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry headed by Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
When contacted, Nik Nazmi said the land was rented according to procedures.
“I have met with the residents and parents. We are looking at ways to address their concerns,” he said.
