Bukit Gasing folks shocked
NST 18/6/2005
KUALA LUMPUR, Fri. - Residents of Bukit Gasing are shocked and
dismayed over the move to develop 39 hectares on the Kuala Lumpur
side of the hill."It contradicts the
expressed promise of the former Datuk Bandar," said Derek Fernandez,
the legal adviser to Friends of Bukit Gasing, here today.
Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Isa Samad had
announced yesterday that 39ha of the forest land would be opened for
development, while the remaining 58.3ha would be gazetted as a green
lung.
The move to develop 39ha of forest land on the
Kuala Lumpur side of Bukit Gasing contradicts policies and
guidelines of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020.
The Development Strategy Plan (2) of the Structure
Plan has zoned the Bukit Gasing forest and its surroundings as a
green area.
The plan specifically says that the natural
features of parts of Bukit Gasing shall be protected and developed
as parks for recreational purposes.
It also says that City Hall shall not permit
development on hillsides with slopes that exceed the allowable
level, rules and regulations set by the Federal Government.
This means hillsides with a gradient of more than
25 degrees cannot be developed.
Further, a 1994 report by the Geological Survey
Malaysia showed that Bukit Gasing was among several hillsides prone
to landslides and unsuitable for development.
The report said that the sedimentary rocks,
sandstone and interbeds of shale which make up Bukit Gasing was
unstable.
A total of 37.6ha of Bukit Gasing in Petaling Jaya
was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1961.
However, the status of the Kuala Lumpur side,
which covers 116ha, has remained in limbo thus far despite previous
promises that it would be gazetted by 2002, say residents who have
long fought to save the green lung.
The move also goes against the stated policy of
the Plan to conserve residual forest areas and maintain a
sustainable variety and population of wildlife within the city
boundaries.
"The existing open spaces and those to be
identified shall be gazetted to ensure the continuity of its use,"
the Plan reads.
The Plan also finds that at present there is an
incomplete green network, a lack of urban parks and open spaces in
the city centre, district and neighbourhood centres.
According to the Structure Plan, open space,
recreational and sports facilities account for only 6.5 per cent of
total land use, currently.
The amount available as public open space is even
less, when private open spaces such as golf courses are excluded.
This means what is currently available does not
even meet City Hall Planning guidelines that a minimum 10 per cent
of the built-up area must be maintained as open space.
Fernandez pointed out that in order to allow the
proposed development announced yesterday, the Structure Plan,
gazetted last year, would have to be amended.
Alterations to the Plan must be made available for
public inspection and objection according to Section 11(B) of the
Town and Country Planning Act 1976.
"He (Isa) should refer to the Structure Plan which
bears his signature." Fernandez said the clearing of even a small
area in Bukit Gasing would have a tremendous effect on the overall
green lung.
He urged the Minister to review the existing
materials and consult with residents before making any decisions.
He has also asked that Isa honour his promises to
ensure public confidence was not eroded.
On March 17 this year, Isa was reported as saying
that the city side of Bukit Gasing would be turned into a forest
reserve and be gazetted within the next few months.
He also said that the hill would be a fully
recreational-cum-educational site once gazetted.
Although 58.3ha will be gazetted as a green lung,
Friends of Bukit Gasing are unhappy.
Marilyn Thoo, secretary of Friends of Bukit Gasing
and a resident in the area, said she was disappointed and uneasy
with the ratio of forested land proposed for protection.
"When we met Tan Sri Isa in June 2004, we knew
that a portion of Bukit Gasing may be developed. "We objected hoping
the entire 116ha would be protected.
"We never expected such a large area to be opened
for development.
"We have been trying to meet him to discuss the
matter but have not been able to secure an appointment since March."
The Plan projects that by 2020 Kuala Lumpur will
need 400ha of district parks, 440ha of neighbourhood parks, 218ha of
local parks, and 220ha of local play area. |
