KUALA LUMPUR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has uncovered several discrepancies from the nine proceedings it conducted on the sale and development of land by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), says its chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Summarising the findings to 12 main points, she said the role of DBKL’s advisory board had been limited to an advisory capacity without joint decision-making powers, unlike the council member system in other state local authorities.
“This resulted in the absence of an effective check and balance mechanism in decisions related to government land development in Kuala Lumpur,” she said at a press conference in Parliament yesterday.
She added that ongoing violation of the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan has resulted in uncontrolled development, which opened the doors for various parties to submit development applications.
Mas Ermieyati noted that the Federal Capital Act 1960 and Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 (Act 267) have also given the mayor full authority to control development in the city.
“The cancellation of reserve status of public land and green lungs that were gazetted in the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan and the subsequent alienation of this land to developers are critical issues that can negatively impact residents’ quality of life and the ecological functions of the city.
“This reflects weaknesses in the land development planning system in Kuala Lumpur, which requires a thorough review, particularly regarding the justification for developments such as the alienation of land for high-density projects on open or green areas,” she said.
The PAC was informed that decisions by the Federal Territories Land Working committee were based on a consensus of all members and entirely on feedback from technical agencies without involvement of local MPs.
It said that approval would not be granted if there were objections or differing opinions, or if there was no “clearance” from DBKL, which was tasked to have conducted stakeholder engagements.
Mas Ermieyati cited the Kampung Bohol Retention Pond issue as an example, where views and objections from 1,275 residents were not taken into account in the decision to alienate the land to a developer.
She added that the calculation formula for land premium has also been used for the past 30 years, resulting in a mismatch in the valuation of the alienated land with market prices.
This has led to losses for the government as the land was sold significantly below market value.
“PAC takes note that the formula used over the past 30 years will be improved and amended accordingly,” Mas Ermieyati said.
The PAC also flagged the alienation of 0.34ha of land in Taman Desa, Kuala Lumpur, earmarked for a police station, which the committee had given to a developer despite objections from the government, including the Home Ministry and the police.
The PAC has recommended that a permanent committee be formed to monitor land affairs, including alienation and development of land in the city and the involvement of Kuala Lumpur MPs.
It also called for the chairmanship of the land committee to be given to the Federal Territories Minister to ensure accountability.
