BY SHALINI RAVINDRAN
Residents of Bukit Antarabangsa during a special briefing last week on the proposed mega development.
Folks in Bukit Antarabangsa, Ampang, say they will go all out to halt a proposed high density project in the area.
It is learnt that a proposal had been submitted to Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) for the construction of eight-, 10-, 24- and 41-storey blocks comprising office suites, a condominium, a three-storey shopping centre and a multilevel carpark on a 3.48ha plot at Lot 850, at the junction of Jalan Wangsa 1 and MRR2.
The Bukit Antarabangsa Task Force 850 (BATF 850), a coalition of 30 resident associations, joint management bodies and management committees, had been set up to spearhead the movement against the project.
During a special briefing for residents last week, BATF 850 chairman Amin Osman said the proposed project would have serious negative implications on the daily lives and welfare of the community as well as the environment.
“As residents here, we have faced numerous environmental disasters including landslides which have caused loss of lives.
“In fact, the proposed site is some 300m away from the site of the 1999 landslide which caused the only access road to Bukit Antarabangsa to be cut off.
“The 2008 landslide in Taman Bukit Mewah killed six people and destroyed 14 bungalows.
“These tragedies were because of the sensitive soil conditions of the site and adjacent areas as well as inadequate and poor maintenance post development,” he said.
Amin added that the project could mean the destruction and displacement of wildlife such as monkeys, wild boars and even the endangered serow.
“Sightings of these animals in Jalan Wangsa 1 and surrounding areas are common. What will happen to them once this mega development starts?” he questioned.
“We are also concerned how the project will impact the traffic congestion along MRR2.
“Traffic is already congested during peak hours, and sometimes stretches to more than 1km in Jalan Wangsa 1.
“What will happen during peak hours, festive seasons and sales at the planned shopping mall?
“And we have learned that the developers want to have traffic lights along this stretch, which will only compound the issue,” he said.
Amin said plans to widen the single lane road to a dual-carriageway would not solve the traffic problem entirely.
Meanwhile, BATF 850 legal advisor Azlan Kamil said, “During an objection hearing on Dec 5 at Menara MPAJ, the developers briefed us about the proposed development and also promised to furnish us with the relevant documents including the traffic impact assessment and environmental impact assessment for us to properly address the key issues.
“The development of areas that involve hillside and slopes must comply with the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.
“Section 22(2A) of the Act states that any development on areas that fall under the category for ‘sensitive area’ must first be referred to National Physical Planning Council to approve the project.
“However, under Section 22(3), MPAJ has the discretionary power to decide whether to totally approve, approve with conditions or refuse such order,” said Azlan.
Amin added that the group would raise the matter with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
