IN A move to preserve the capital’s Malay village heritage, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is identifying suitable areas in Sungai Penchala to be designated as traditional village zones.
The three villages identified for the move are Kampung Sungai Penchala, Kampung Palimbayan and Kampung Bukit Lanjan, all in the Segambut constituency.
If landowners agree to the proposed designation, future projects in these areas will be subject to strict planning controls covering building heights, development density and architectural design.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the three villages, along with Kampung Segambut, were already gazetted as Malay reserve land.
She said the presence of high-rise developments in the area had prompted a review of whether existing buildings and land use remained in keeping with traditional village characteristics.
“The traditional village status will determine how high future developments can be and the types of houses that can be built.
“We are starting the process by conducting a study and surveying landowners.
“Some residents may agree, while others may not want their land included in the traditional village zone,” she told reporters during a visit to Kampung Sungai Penchala yesterday.
Yeoh, who is also Segambut MP, stressed that no final decision had been made, adding that the study would determine which areas were suitable for traditional village zoning.
“Any proposed changes will require amendments to the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL2040).
“We expect the public exhibition to take place in May 2027, with gazettement of the amended local plan targeted for February 2028,” the minister said.
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud, who accompanied Yeoh, said residents would have a say in the proposed designation and DBKL would hold engagement sessions to gather their views.
He said the land would retain its Malay reserve status, while the proposed zoning would establish planning guidelines to steer future development.
“A consultant has been appointed to undertake the study, with engagement sessions planned to ensure residents’ participation,” he said, adding that the study was expected to be completed next February.
In a separate statement, DBKL said the study would be carried out through a micro-control plan to assess existing village characteristics, current developments, infrastructure capacity, landowners’ interests and development pressures, particularly along major roads.
Kampung Sungai Penchala is located within the 303.71ha Sungai Penchala Malay Reserve, though the study will identify specific lots suitable for designation.
DBKL stressed that the proposal was not intended to impede development, but to balance heritage preservation with current development needs.
It added that the interests of landowners who disagreed with the proposed zoning, including development proposals, would also be considered, subject to planning policies, site suitability and technical requirements.
Persatuan Anak Jati Penchala chairman Muharani Mat Junus said residents wanted development that balanced progress with the needs of the community.
He said traffic congestion and a parking shortage were among their main concerns, adding that these problems would worsen if left unaddressed.
