More independent panel for housing projects assessment

14/04/2008 The Star

PROJECT evaluations in the past did not follow or have not been implemented according to the Selangor structural plan, said Selangor state executive councillor for tourism, consumer affairs and environment Elizabeth Wong.

“There was a tendency for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be rather biased and those involved in conducting evaluations were sometimes not from neutral groups,” said Wong.

“Future development projects in Selangor will see the participation of an independent geo-technical and environmental experts to give their perspective to these projects,” she said

Wong said this after meeting residents of Ampang, who organised a get together to highlight rampant hillside developments in their areas.

Speaking on the proposed project on the 24.9ha-site (61.54-acre) near the Taman Hijau Apartment, she said the matter had been brought to their attention and if there were sufficient evidence that the project contravened certain guideines, it would be reviewed.

“So far we have 141 ongoing projects in Selangor that are being reviewed. Projects that don’t adhere to guidelines, laws and proper structure plan will surely be reviewed,” she said.

“Personally I am all for saving the hills but the residents also have do their part and make an appeal,” she said.

She said that she would be meeting with the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) soon to discuss about the hillside projects. A dialogue is scheduled on April 17 between residents affected by the Taman Hijau Apartment project, the developer and the MPAJ to be chaired by Selangor state local government, research and development committee chairman Ronnie Liu.