A 42-storey high-rise project located near SJK (T) Cheras in Kuala Lumpur has drawn strong objections from the school community.
They stated that the development poses serious risks to students' safety, health and academic performance.
Parents, former students and school board representatives gathered on Monday (July 7) outside the project site, urging Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to cancel its joint venture project.
School Board of Governors chairman V. Kumar Veeran said the school wished to convert the land into a field for students.
“The high-density project is too close to the school.
“There is constant noise, air and dust pollution from the construction as well as traffic hazards just outside the primary school and a taska,” he said, adding that there were 257 students at both premises.
He said students’ safety was at risk with heavy machinery, trailers and construction lorries plying the road in front of the school.
The 42-storey service apartment tower, on a 0.32ha plot, was expected to take four years to complete.
“We have raised our concerns for more than 10 years,” said Kumar, adding that an earlier project was halted in 2016 due to public backlash.
“Now, without proper consultation, another project started in 2024.”
He criticised DBKL for lack of transparency.
“There was no engagement with the school. The only thing we got from DBKL was an announcement that the project had been approved," he said.
According to Kumar, SJK (T) Cheras had applied for use of the field from DBKL and the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office.
He said the school, established in 1947, previously had a field, but the land was used to build additional classrooms.
“In 2017, with the increase in students, we had no choice but to build a four-storey building on the field to cater to the demand as the school sits on a 0.28ha site," he said.
Complaints have been filed with DBKL, the Prime Minister’s Department and local elected representatives, he said.
