Residents object to development
05/06/2007 The Star By BAVANI M

WHY create a rule and then not follow it? This was the question posed by many residents living in the prominent neighbourhood of Bukit Tunku and Taman Duta.

They were recently at Jalan Gallagher in Kuala Lumpur to protest against the proposed construction of apartments blocks in their area.

The residents were upset that Kuala Lumpur City Hall accepted the application submitted by the developer to develop the areas.

“It makes no sense at all when the development clearly goes against the cabinet directive as per the KL Structure Plan 2020 which clearly states that the area should be left with a low-density population,” Sri Duta resident Ronnie Quay said.

“There are guidelines and rules and this development is clearly in violation of the KL Structure Plan. We really hope that DBKL would practise good judgement by not approving the plans submitted by the developer,” Bukit Tunku resident association spokesman Teh Lip Pin said.

He quoted an excerpt from the plan that said, “high-density and high-rise development in Federal Hill, Taman Duta and Bukit Tunku shall not be encouraged to preserve the existing low-density and high-quality residential area.”

The residents were objecting to the proposal submitted by Bandar Raya Developments Bhd to City Hall for the building of 13 five-storey apartments totalling 188 units.

“When we first objected to the development in 2005, City Hall rejected the application made by the developer and at that time 209 apartments units were submitted for approval,” Teh said.

“Now despite the reduction of units by 21, it still contravenes what is stated in the KL Structure Plan. These new development will increase the density in the area by 750% from 10 people per acre to 84,” he added.

Segambut MP Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong said: “I oppose any kind of development in this area as it is quite clear that Bukit Tunku and Taman Duta is meant to be a low-density area.”

Tan also blasted City Hall’s Advisory Board members for not playing their part in advising DBKL on such matters.

“The board members are not playing their part at all. Their advice is seldom needed or sought out. It is outdated,” he said.

Tan said DBKL should follow the MBPJ decision of appointing councillors whose advice and recommendations are taken into consideration and the process is open and transparent.”

He said, that he would be taking up the matter with the Kuala Lumpur mayor.

The residents have until June 16 to submit their objections.