Bukit Dinding emerged as a key issue at “Dialog Bandar Raya 2025” as residents expressed worry about the impact of proposed development at the hill in Setiawangsa on surrounding communities and local environment.
Organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the townhall at the Setiawangsa Community Centre provided residents a chance to highlight complaints and receive feedback from the local authority.
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Bukit Setiawangsa Residents Association (RA) chairman Ahmad Shukri Abd Shukor said City Hall must not be limited to technical and legal aspects when reviewing development applications at Bukit Dinding.
“Our primary concerns are long-term environmental and wider social impacts on surrounding communities in the future,” he said.
Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad echoed similar views, saying that DBKL’s feedback on meeting technical and engineering aspects did not reassure residents.
Wangsa Jaya RA chairman Muhd Rafi Muhd Sukarman said DBKL should disclose plans for Bukit Dinding to ensure transparency.
“Residents want to know DBKL’s vision for the area,” he said.
SMK Taman Setiawangsa Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Amirudin Sahudi expressed safety concerns as the school was located near the hill.
“When it rains, water runoff and soil wash down the slope, flooding the school field.
“Residents also know of cows grazing at the hill. There is a bad smell, raising health concerns,” he said.
In response, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said DBKL was ready to engage local communities on issues concerning Bukit Dinding.
Worries over the area flared up in 2022 when news broke that DBKL had issued a development order for a high-rise project.
It was reported that two 26-storey condominiums had been planned at the hill.
Following public uproar, DBKL then announced that 25% of the site must be maintained as a green area.
A coalition of Setiawangsa resident associations later filed a judicial review against the development order, alleging that DBKL had relied on outdated information in making its decision.
The project has yet to kick off. — By FARID WAHAB
