Environmental Pollution Hotline

Complaints pertaining to environmental pollution - that's open burning, raw sewage and toxic effluents flowing into river system, illegal forest clearing, etc. - can be made via a simple phone-call to the Department of Environment Office's HQ Control Room in Putrajaya. They're open 7.00 a.m. to 11.30 p.m. daily inclusive of weekends and public holidays.

Hunting Line : 03-88858200
Complaints Line: 03-88891972
Fax: 03-88891973/75
JASLINE :1-800-88-2727

Fire Department (they take Open Burning complaints, too): 8888-0336

MPAJ Aduan (Complaint) Website

Need mosquito fogging in your neighborhood? Clogged drains? Contruction work going on at night? Just click onto this website to put in your complaints, air your greivances, offer feedback, etc. and MPAJ will get onto it.

You'll have to register but it's worth it. Someone from MPAJ calls me within a day to look into my matters.

Council issues stop-work order in Ampang Jaya

from the Malay Mail

HARNY ABU KHAIR
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18

The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council has slapped a stop-work order on a hillslope housing project next to Jalan 2/3 in Ampang Jaya.

Its president, Ahmad Shafii Saidin, said the order was issued last week after the developer was found to have carried out slope stabilising work illegally.

"The developer did not seek the council’s approval," he said.

The council investigated the matter following complaints from residents.

Ahmad Shafii said the developer, in a meeting with the council, said they had obtained approval for the work from the Forestry Department.

"But they did not get our permission, thus it is illegal," he said.

He added that the council had asked the developer to submit its application for work.

"The council also instructed the developer to repair and strengthen the retention pond at the foot of the hill to prevent clogging and landslips," Ahmad Shafii said.

The developer had also been ordered to remove all the earth, dumped at the foot of the hill.

On the slope stabilising work, he said the council would also obtain feedback from Ikram Berhad, the Geo-science Department and Public Works Department before approving the developer’s application.

"If it is approved, the developer will have to do the work all over again according to Ikram’s specifications," he said, adding that the council would closely monitor the work.

Spot the Notice

notice
Originally uploaded by styro1.

You would be forgiven if you didn't respond to the MPAJ notice seeking comments (and objections) to the planned development next to Ukay Heights. Seriously, who would have spotted the MPAJ Notice board "visibly" placed on the busy Middle Ring Road (aka Jalan Ulu Kelang). I passed the Notice board for several months before I actually notcied it, and this only because I was consciously looking for it. When I finally found it, I had to carefully park my car along the busy road, and then try to get out of the car safely without getting run over by other speeding cars before I could read it. See if you can spot it. It's the small white box right above the boot of the Wira. And if you want to actually read it, scout along Jalan Ulu Kelang for it. Warning though, the deadline for comments to MPAJ has expired.

Residents to meet Developers

Dataran Ukay's RA Chairman and other residents of Ukay Heights and Taman Hijau will be meeting up with the two developers of the hillslope projects today. MPAJ officials will be present, too. Keep your fingers crossed that the hills remain untouched.

For more on this check out "Living in fear of landslides" at The Malay Mail. (still haven't figured how to post a link, sorry)

http://www.mmail.com.my/Current_News/MM/Wednesday/National/20050309113525/Article/index_html

Lots PT 1680, 1681, 532 and 531

Here's what's being planned for the other hillslope project in Ampang: 194 bungalow units, 410 shop units and 10-story office building. It's right next to Dataran Ukay, and will stretch from Jalan Ulu Klang into the hills of Ukay Heights.

With the recent expose of the Bukit Cerakah destruction, the MB of Selangor has announced yet another freeze on all development at environmentally sensitve areas. Look at all the erosion on the hills of Ampang; I'm pretty sure this counts as an environmentally senstive area. He's said that all local councils must get approval from the Public Works Institute (Ikram) and the Mineral and Geoscience Department before allowing development in hilly areas (full report at www.nst.com.my). I wonder if the project on Lots PT 1680, 1681, 532 and 531 did?

Please don't let the "freeze" on hill development comfort you. I'm sure many of you may recall similar calls in the past only to see the development resume once all the media hype has died away. Do not stop questioning our local council on the wanton development in our neighborhood, and keep on pressuring them for the need of a Local Plan.

Below is a letter pertaining to the Lots mentioned above. I urge fellow Ampang residents to copy, sign and send the objection letter as soon as possible. Time is against us.

______________________________________________________________________

6 March 2005

Yang DiPetua
Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya
Menara MPAJ
Jln. Pandan Indah
55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tuan,

RE: No Further Developments in Ampang Until Completion of Ampang Local Plan – Objection to Proposed Development of 194 Unit Bungalow lots, 410 Unit Shops, 10 Story Office Building with 2 floor Basement Car Park on Lots 1680, 530 and 531 Jln. Hulu Kelang, Mukim Hulu Kelang, Gombak.

We are writing over our concern regarding a proposed development scheme on several acres/hectares behind the Ukay Heights, Jalan Hulu Kelang residential areas. As a resident in Ampang, we are concerned over the large size of the project, the huge social and environmental impacts the project will likely have.

As we mentioned to your good self in our earlier letter, dated 8 January 2005, we object to any further developments in Ampang until the completion of the Ampang Local Plan.

The above mentioned development is of grave concern to us as it is on steep hill slopes which is very dangerous. There are a number of issues of particular concern including:

1. Was a social impact assessment carried out to determine how this development will affect the existing neighborhoods of Ukay Heights, Taman Tar, Ampang Jaya and Hulu Kelang ?

2. Was any assessment done as to the increase in traffic and carrying capabilities of the existing roads?

3. Was an environmental impact assessment done to ensure no negative impacts on the surrounding environment in terms of erosion risks, land slides, efforts to preserve the land in its natural topography and so on?

4. Information on the above points, as well as information such as a MODEL of the proposed development, the survey plan, proposed development report, earthwork plans, was not made available to all the affected residents for our comments and review.

We therefore object to this or any other development in the Ukay Heights/Taman TAR, Ampang Jaya, Hulu Kelang as well as other areas in Ampang, until MPAJ carry out a Local Plan that incorporates the feedback and views of ALL of its residents.

We anxiously await your urgent reply to this matter.


Regards,
Name:
Address:


Phone:

c.c.

Y.A.B. Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor
Pejabat Menteri Besar Selangor
Tingkat 21, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
40000 Shah Alam

YB Dato’ Menteri
Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan
Aras 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7, Pusat Bandar Damansara
50782 Kuala

First, Cahaya Seri Alam Agri Park. Next, Ampang hills?

Have you been following the expose by Utusan Malaysia (now covered by The Sun) regarding the blatant disregard property developers have shown towards the environment by levelling hills and clearing land around the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park? Yes, the Agricluture Park which is supposed to be a green lung for the Klang Valley. This all happenned despite a stop-work order by the Selangor state government. For a chronological rundown of events, go to http://www.jeffooi.com/

Dataran Ukay RA starts petition campaign

The Dataran Ukay Residents Association, who first alerted me about the proposed developments in Ukay Heights at a gathering at Kelab Darul Ehsan late last year, have distributed letters throughout the Ukay Heights area urging residents to send in their written objection to MPAJ.

The letter contains several important details, such as the actual lot number of one of the proposed projects as well as an indication of what kind of development it will be (200 condo units, 42 3-storey bungalows, 8 3-storey terraced houses, 41 3-storey townhouses and 41 4-6 storey shoplots).

There is also mention of the developer, Harta Villa Sdn Bhd.

The letter from the Residents Association advises that: -

"Your objections should mention:

1. That you have not been formally notified of the proposals and insist on proper notification.

2. That you strongly object to the creation of access to Lot 378 via Jalan Teberau 1, 2 & 3. And Lot 378 has extensive frontage to the Middle Ring Road and the developer should access the development directly and exclusively from the Middle Ring Road, which has the capacity to handle the traffic.

3. Developers need to invest the community and provide information. In this case:

- No proper plans (including elevation etc) of the revised development plan for the site appear to have been made public
- No traffic impact study has been done or at any rate made available.

4. Any other ground of objection you have - which could include that Lot 378 is high density multi-storey development (350 units!) of a very steep hill slope, with all which will entail massive earthworks and slope engineering work, again to the detriment of neighboring properties."

All objections should be signed and addressed, with your own name and address, to:

Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ)
Tingkat 11 Menara MPAJ
Jalan Pandan Utama, Pandan Indah
55100 Ampang
(ATTN: Pengarah, Town & Planning Dept., Encik Awang Mustapha bin Md Yunus)

I urge all concerned residents of Ampang to send in their objections, even if you've sent the one I posted earlier regarding the need of a local plan in Ampang.

The Dataran Ukay RA will be setting up an eGroup soon. I will post details when I get them.

(If you're a member of the Dataran Ukay RA, please post a comment with your contact details so we can work together for the protection of our neighborhood).

Ministry seeks response from MPAJ

In a cc-ed letter sent to me, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has asked Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) to respond to the petition letter sent to them by the 15th of February. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope that we can halt further hillside development in Ampang and Ulu Kelang.

Thank you to the residents of Ampang who took the time to mail the petition letter to the relevant authorities. But it doesn't end here. Please try to get your fellow neighbors to do the same. We need more people to write in to show how serious and concern we are with the quality of life in Ampang.

Ampang Jaya needs a Local Plan

If you are concerned about the planned development in the Ukay Heights and Taman TAR area, as well as development throughout the Ampang area, please copy, print, sign the letter below (don't forget to include your full name and contact information) and post to MPAJ and cc. to Menteri Besar Selangor and the Minister at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (addresses provided below).

Since not everyone is connected to the Net, we hope you will make more copies of the letter to share with your neighbors and other Ampang residents. If you are renting, we hope you will pass this information to your landlord and urge them to send the letter.

Thank you for your concern and action.

________________________________________________


8 January 2005

Yang DiPetua
Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya
Menara MPAJ
Jln. Pandan Indah
55100 Kuala Lumpur.

Tuan,

RE: No Further Developments in Ampang Until Completion of Ampang Local Plan

We are writing over our concern regarding a proposed development scheme on several acres/hectares (actual size uncertain due to lack of information) behind the Ukay Heights and Taman TAR residential areas.

As a resident in Ampang, we are concerned over the large size of the project, the huge social and environmental impacts the project will likely have.

But of greatest concern is the lack of information available to the vast majority of the residents and communities surrounding this development, the lack of government initiative to inform the residents, get our feedback, and plan this and other projects based on our feedback.

Some residents have asked to view the Local Plan for Ampang, but we understand that no such plan exists. We thought a Local Plan was required under the Town and Country Planning Act. Futher, we thought community participation in the creation of this plan was critical – under both the Town and Country Planning Act, and under Agenda 21 Selangor.

Finally, as tax payers and voters, we hope our feedback will not only be sought, but also adhered to when MPAJ undertakes the development of our community – enhancing the quality of life through planned, sustainable development (which includes conservation and social impacts).

We therefore insist that before the said development in the Ukay Heights/Taman TAR neighborhoods, as well as other areas in Ampang area occur, MPAJ carry out a Local Plan that incorporates the feedback and wishes of ALL of its residents.

We anxiously await your urgent reply to this matter.


Regards,


Name:
Address:


Phone:



c.c.

Y.A.B. Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor
Pejabat Menteri Besar Selangor
Tingkat 21, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah
40000 Shah Alam

YB Dato’ Menteri
Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan
Aras 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7, Pusat Bandar Damansara
50782 Kuala Lumpur