The residents of Bukit OUG Condominium have tabled a motion to demonstrate against Kuala Lumpur Cit Hall (DBKL) on Monday over a series of slope-clearing works which they say pose a safety threat to their hill-top homes.
They claim that the property companies concerned have commenced on condominium projects at the foothill of their homes, and are cutting away the slope to create a 90-degree-steep wall.
One of the property companies, Kiara Resource Properties Sdn Bhd, has started bulldozing trees on its land in spite of residents having objections against the project, which have already been made known to DBKL, says residents association vice-president, Charles Ho.
Resident and NGO activist Tan Jo Hann says the draft KL City Plan 2020 states clearly that hillside development shall not take place on any slope that exceeds 25-degrees.
“The modified slope is between 80 to 90-degrees, which is almost vertical. We aware that a landslide has occurred before,” he said at a meeting attended by some 50 residents and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok yesterday.
The residents, who were moved by the urgency of the matter, immediately tabled a motion for a rally on Monday at DBKL headquarters to voice their concerns.
“We hope DBKL will meet us and issue a stop-work order on the projects at once,” Tan said.
No hearing despite objection
He added that there are three projects situated near the banks of Sungai Kuyoh, which according to the draft KL City Plan, should be conserved.
“Besides, we were long ago informed that the entire place is a forest reserve,” he said.
Tan also notes that no hearing has been conducted to hear the residents’ feedback on the projects, which is part of the due process under Town and Country Planning Act.
“We have submitted our objection (to DBKL against the Kiara Resource project), hence there should be a hearing. How can you clear the trees even before hearing starts?” he asked.
Three projects, 12 blocks, one access road
Kiara Resources plans to build four blocks of 19-storey condominiums on the shattered land whereas another unknown developer is building four blocks of condominiums of between 31 and 33 storeys on the adjoining lot, number 3001.
Lot 3000, beside Lot 3001, is owned by Trinity Group, which plans to construct another four-high rise buildings under its Z Residence project.
In order to connect the three condominiums to the main road, Jalan Awam Cina, an access road which cuts across the northern fence of Bukit OUG Condominium will be built.
Ho says the proposed access road will encroach on the slope besides posing the hazards of air and noise pollution to residents once it opens to traffic.
He notes that some 6,000 residents of the condominium already find it hard to move their vehicles on Jalan Awam Cina during peak hours.
“The traffic congestion will only get worst once the proposed high-rise buildings are up,” Ho (right, standing) said.
He added that the unknown developer has also commenced work on lot 3001 despite the protest period for the project still continuing.
Teresa Kok, commenting on the issue, said that DBKL has “failed in their planning”.
She said Selangor had long banned developments on 90-degree slopes and would only consider bungalows for certain hillside property projects.
“But in DBKL it’s very terrible, there are so many high-rise projects being approved. Where have our green-lungs have gone?” she asked.
She added that the plot ratio in Kuala Lumpur, which is measured by total floors of a building to the size of a land, already exceeds “level five” whereas Selangor strives to control its plot ratio within a “level four” limit.
She supported the residents’ move to stage a protest, saying that residents must be vocal on matters concerning their rights.
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Jimmy Tan
