Wednesday, March 09, 2005

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

Sunday, March 06, 2005

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