STAKEHOLDERS are seeking a clear timeline from the authorities to regazette a 20.57ha plot of land on Bukit Dinding in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, as a permanent forest reserve.
The land, also known as Lot 80026, was gazetted as a public open space in 2019, according to a Federal Government Gazette by the Attorney-General’s Chamber.
However, it must first be degazetted before it can be regazetted as a permanent forest reserve.
Stakeholders expressed their concerns about projected timelines during an enquiry session at the Office of the Director of Lands and Mines of the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur in Rumah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur.
The Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PTGWP) and Forestry Department stated that the degazettement process would be completed within 160 days and the regazettement process would need at least six months.
Friends of Bukit Dinding (FoBD) vice-president Inci Syafruddin said the long process could give room for “unforeseen things” to occur.
“There have been many cases in the past where the proposals gave people hope in the beginning, but ended up becoming something else after going through lengthy procedures.
“Hence, a clear timeline on every step of the process is essential to restore the public’s trust,” she added.
Representatives of PTGWP and Forestry Department were present to hear stakeholders’ concerns.
A FoBD committee member, who only wanted to be known as Kazumi, also urged the authorities to speed up the regazettement process.
“It would be great if the process could be completed within three to four months,” she said.
Inci also raised her concerns about access to the forest reserve, stating that there was currently only one telecommunications maintenance road connecting to the area.
“The road also passes through some other plots of land which are not owned by the government.
“Who should be held liable if anything happens?
“PTGWP should conduct a study on this before handing over the land to the Forestry Department after the regazettement,” she said.
Another concern raised was about potential development projects around the proposed forest reserve as there are other plots of land on Bukit Dinding that have been sold to private owners.
Kazumi said the hill was not suitable to be developed because there was a risk of landslides.
“Besides, Bukit Dinding is also a popular recreational spot. It should be protected.”
Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association (KLRA+SD) secretary Joshua Low, who was also present, said the government should limit the plot ratio of all development projects around Bukit Dinding.
“Ideally, we want the whole of Bukit Dinding to be gazetted as a permanent forest reserve, but that would require a lot of political will by the government as they would have to acquire the land from private owners,” he said.
