Difficult to scrap project at Bukit Mas, says mayor

06/06/2006 New Straits Times

HULU KLANG: Despite City Hall’s promise to review the hillside housing project at Bukit Mas, residents in the area are not happy and want it scrapped.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Ruslin Hasan, however, said during a Press conference that it would be difficult to scrap the project as there were legal implications.

"City Hall had approved the project in 1990 and we cannot simply cancel the project because of protests from residents," he said.

Furthermore, he said, only 16 per cent of the half-hectare site was unsafe for development.

"Only a small portion is located on a slope with a gradient of more than 35 degrees, which is against the Cabinet’s guidelines for hillside development. The remainder could be safe for construction," he said.

On hearing this, Kong Wai Keong, a resident who was at the Press conference, said: "How can you say only 16 per cent is not safe? There are already cracks in our houses. Can you imagine the impact once the piling work starts?"

To this, Ruslin answered: "If the area is safe for development, we cannot simply stop the work. We cannot be biased. We have to listen to all sides."

He said additional conditions might be imposed before the developer could begin work. "If the slope is safe for development, we will ensure that the developer fulfills stringent technical requirements," he said.

Ruslin, who visited the site twice yesterday, added that an independent consultant, PC Geo Management Sdn Bhd, would carry out a detailed study to determine the suitability and safety of the project.

"They will look into the technical and safety aspects of the project and the report will be submitted to a newly set-up committee under the Federal Territories Ministry," he explained.

The Environment Sensitivity Committee includes Kumpulan Ikram Sdn Bhd and the Mineral and Geoscience Department.

Last Saturday, the residents had protested against the construction of 74 apartment units and town villas on the steep and fragile slope.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop, meanwhile, said the initial report on the project would be submitted to the Cabinet tomorrow.

"These are the preliminary findings. The detailed report will be based on the Cabinet’s requirement," he said.