Is is inevitable that the Klang Valley skyline becomes and endless sea of concrete and suffocating smog, with nary a touch of green to ease the eyes? It certainly looks like we are progressing inevitably in that direction if recent developments with the ongoing campaign to preserve the Gasing Green Belt are anything to go by. DBKL’s decision not to allow a public hearing on the Gasing Meridien bungalow project have dealt a blow to residents who have real concerns that clearing vegetation on this slope could have severe consenquences in terms of damage to property and the loss of human lives, quite apart from the loss of a beloved green belt and recreational area. READ THE LATEST UPDATES ON THESE ISSUES HERE - Jan 30 2008  

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 by Fauwaz Abdul Aziz

Malaysiakini, Jan 21 2008

Residents living around Bukit Gasing are up in arms that their requests for a public hearing on a proposed bungalow development project has been denied by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

They said this was not the understanding that was conveyed to them during the last meeting they had with DBKL planning officials on Nov 14, 2007. According to the residents, DBKL officers led by its planning director Mahadi Che Ngah had in the meeting told them they would be given a public hearing to air their concerns on the safety and environmental aspects of the project.

Following a letter-writing exercise in which about 300 residents from Taman Petaling, Gasing Indah and Gasing Heights Condominiums petitioned for a public hearing, DBKL responded in a letter dated Dec 31, 2007 that such a hearing would be “against the rules and regulations”.

This is because Planning (Development) Regulations 1970 of the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 stipulate that public hearings are only to be held if the proposed development project involved changes in “population density” or “land use”, said DBKL.

“Because the application submitted by Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd does not involve additions to residents (population) density or land use changes, a public hearing cannot be held because it would be against the rules and regulations that presently exist,” it added.

The land owner, Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd, has applied to build 142 bungalows on the 15-hectare land.

Forty-nine percent of the said land, however, consists of slopes measuring 26-35 degrees or higher while 37 percent slopes between 16-25 degrees.

This as well as the fact that Bukit Gasing is highly susceptible to land erosion due to its soil composition have gotten residents worried that development on the hill would cause landslides.

They point out that over the last 15 years, at least 14 major landslides occurred in Peninsular Malaysia alone that led to the death of 68 persons.

One landslide occurred in March last year after renovation works were carried out on a Hindu temple on Bukit Gasing itself. On Jan 5 this year, another landslide followed near the same temple.

In a press conference held this morning in Petaling Jaya, Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Bukit Gasing member Gary Yeoh said these and other concerns could only be authoritatively and openly addressed by DBKL through a public hearing.

Both Gasing Meridian and DBKL have not entertained residents’ requests for copies of the soil- and other tests that allegedly prove Bukit Gasing can be safely developed, said Yeoh.

As such, the public hearing was the only other way to obtain such information.

“Our only recourse was to have the public hearing. Now, they are rejecting it,” said Yeoh.

Another JAC member Ashok Menon said DBKL was obligated to serve the interests and protect the welfare of residents and tenants by exercising complete transparency on the issues involved.

“Why all this secrecy? Local councils should be looking after us. Instead, they are working hand-in-glove with business interests,” he said.

Also at the press conference was Edward Lee, who demanded that local politicians intending to run in the upcoming general elections make known their stand on development on Bukit Gasing.

“They have to say whether they support the people on this or not,” said Lee.

JAC members also announced that a public meeting would be held this Saturday at the Gasing Indah Community Hall where residents within and around the area would be informed about the issues raised by the proposed Bukit Gasing development project.

 Jan 21 2008 

The residents and owners of properties in Section 5 have protested against Gasing Meridien’s plans to develop bungalows on the steep slopes adjacent to several high-rise condos in the area.  Read the latest press statement from the Joint Action Committee on Bukit Gasing below:-

We, the owners and residents in the neighbourhood of the proposed development on Bukit Gasing by Gasing Meridian have been campaigning and making representations to the Prime Minister, FT Ministry and DBKL since knowing about Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd’s proposal to further develop Bukit Gasing.

As members of the Press, you would know that the owners and residents held a massive protest on 19th November, 2006 at the foot hill of Bukit Gasing (Gasing Indah side). Since then the Joint Action Committee for Bukit Gasing (JAC) and various owners and residents have had numerous meetings with officials from the FT Ministry, the JPPKSAS (Jawatankuasa Penyelarasan Pembangunan Kawasan Sensitif Alam Sekitar Wilayah Persekutuan) and DBKL Planning Department.

DBKL on 14th November, 2007, invited the JAC to a meeting relating to an application from Gasing Meridian for sub-division of land. We understand that Gasing Meridian had requested approval for sub-dividing their land to 142 lots. DBKL had clarified that they were only considering the matter of sub-division of land and had not approved the development proposed by Gasing Meridian.

The slopes of Gasing Hill are prone to erosion and landslides 

Alas, despite our efforts, we begin the year with DBKL informing us that our petition for a Public Hearing will not be granted. At the meeting with DBKL on the 14th November, 2007, a total of 18 concerned owners of properties turned up. We made DBKL aware of our many safety concerns relating to the proposed development at Bukit Gasing with almost 50% of the slopes above 25 degrees (total of 86.4% of the project site exceeding 15 degrees gradient).

We highlighted landslides and unstable soil structures conditions in the vicinity of the proposed development (i.e. around Bukit Gasing area) as follows:
i) In 1971, a landslide precipitated by hill slope development severely damaged 6 Government bungalows along Jalan Tanjong on Bukit Gasing. All the 6 bungalows had to be demolished subsequently

ii) In March, 2007, extension work on Sivan Temple resulted in a landslide measuring about 80 feet at the top and about 25 feet at the base with a fall of about 300 feet. To date and almost 10 months after the landslide, discussions are still on going with MBPJ and IKRAM to ensure mitigation work is done to good safety standards. Amelioration works are still on-going. Sometime last week, we noticed a further landslide about 10 meters from the site of the March, 2007 landslide.

iii) A landslide along Jalan 5/62 occurred sometime ago and caused it to be abandoned.
iv) 3 bungalows along Jalan 5/64 were abandoned abruptly in the midst of piling works.

v) A new reservoir with 23 million litres of water was constructed since Gasing Meridian’s earlier application for development in 1996 and DBKL’s approval then on strict 2 stage development approval process in 1999.

vi) Soil and geological experts and surveys have specifically cautioned against development on the steep hill slopes of Bukit Gasing.

We also challenged DBKL that the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP) must be taken into account. Gasing Meridian’s proposed development falls within the Strategic Zone of Bukit Jalil – Seputeh (KLSP reference: Section - 17.6).

Under the approved KLSP, the following must be considered by DBKL:
 i) Bukit Gasing and its surrounding areas are designated as “Stable Area” or “Green Areas”“Stable Areas” being “Areas with established development and activities, in which minimal changes in development are anticipated over the plan period i.e. up to year 2020.”“Green Areas” being “Green areas” generally covered with natural or planted vegetation, consist of open spaces, recreational areas, utility and infrastructure corridors, buffer zones, forest reserves, agriculture areas, cemeteries, nurseries, shrubs and residential compounds.”

The proposed development constitutes a “change of use”. The developer must not be allowed to violate the KLSP without due process being invoked. (KLSP reference: Section 17.6.2).

ii) The KLSP has specifically provided that “The natural features of parts of Bukit Gasing shall be protected and developed as parks for recreational purposes.” The proposed development is a full scale re-sculpturing of the portion of Bukit Gasing visible to all commuters in and out of Kuala Lumpur on its southern section. Approving the development is a blatant disregard to the KLSP.

Our meeting with Tuan Haji Mahadi Che Ngah (Director of Planning at DBKL) was very encouraging. He reassured us of DBKL’s intention to take into consideration our many concerns on safety and views. He stated that DBKL would abide by all the prevailing rules and regulation and policies adopted by the government. We were informed that DBKL had on 3rd October given their approval to Gasing Meridian merely for sub-division of land application. The approval was given only for 71 lots and not the 142 lots applied for by Gasing Meridian.

Both DBKL and the DBKL Appeal Board had turned down the Developer’s request for a single-stage development in 1999 and 2000 respectively because of the steepness of the project site. In view of the presence of a new reservoir, which shares a common border with the proposed development, and the massive landslide which occurred about 10 months ago in an area about 100 meters away, it does not make sense if DBKL should approve the development now.

As residents living under the threat of a “Highland Towers” disaster, we have been appealing to DBKL to clarify and provide updates on their considerations on Gasing Meridian’s application for development. We are very concerned that DBKL’s only significant response to our many concerns have been to inform us that a Public Hearing is not applicable.

We are absolutely united and firm in our belief that our demand for the right to live without fear of landslides is a basic right of all citizens of this country.

We already have limited green lungs. We will be failing our children if we do not stand against the development of multi-million ringgit residential properties on Bukit Gasing that will permanently remove a beautiful landscape for both the residents in the area as well as fellow travellers in and out of the congested city of KL.

The residents intend to mount further campaigns to encourage DBKL to give due consideration to our concerns. We will challenge any approval to the proposed development. We invite the civil societies and politicians that believe in our right to live without fear of landslides and in a “first world” living environment to support us by equally raising their concerns with DBKL and the Government.

 by DEBBIE CHAN

The Star, Jan 25 2008

THE one green area in Petaling Jaya that has been a subject of dispute between residents and the local authorities for the past few years is again in the news.
Bukit Gasing, located on the border of Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur, is under the jurisdiction of both the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Stark images: Yeo (left) and Maxwell Tower Residents Association chairman Victor Oorjitam holding up pictures of development at Bukit Gasing.

 In the latest row, the Joint Action Committee for Bukit Gasing (JACBG) is accusing the DBKL of refusing to conduct a public hearing on a proposed development by Gasing Meridian at the green area. The JACBG contention is that according to the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan, Bukit Gasing and its surrounding areas are designated as stable areas or green areas, and hence, should be preserved.

The stable areas are defined as areas with established development and activities in which minimal changes in development are anticipated over the plan period, which is up to year 2020. The green areas are defined as areas generally covered with natural or planted vegetation, consisting of open spaces, recreational areas, utility and infrastructure corridors, buffer zones, forest reserves, agricultural areas, cemeteries, nurseries, shrubs and residential compounds.

“The proposed development constitutes a change of use and is also a full scale re-sculpturing of the portion of Bukit Gasing visible to all commuters in and out of Kuala Lumpur on its southern section,” JACBG member Gary Yeo said.

“We’ve been appealing to DBKL to clarify and provide updates on its considerations on this project.

“We are very concerned that DBKL’s only response to our many concerns was to write to us to tell us that they will not grant us a public hearing,” Yeo said.
According to Yeo, the main safety concern of the residents is in relations to the possibility of landslides if the development project is approved.

“We already have limited green areas and we will stand firm against this project that will permanently remove a beautiful landscape for both the residents in the area as well as others in and around the congested cities of PJ and KL,” he said.
The residents intend to organise further campaigns to make the DBKL give due consideration to their concerns. The DBKL rejected the appeal for a public hearing on the basis that the proposed development would not increase density nor involve a change in land use which is in compliance to Wilayah Persekutuan Planning Act 1982-Development Plan Rule 1970. According to the rule, the residents could only file objections if the development project increases density and changes land use. The JACBG objection against this project has been a long-standing one, going back to 1999 with a lot of discussions and dialogues among the residents, the DBKL and the developer over the years.

 by Hardev Kaur

New Straits Times, December 7 2007

MALAYSIA released 177.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2004, or 0.6 per cent of the global total. This translates to 7.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide discharged by each Malaysian. It represents a 221 per cent increase from 1990 and, according to the UN Development Report, Malaysia ranks as the 26th largest source of greenhouse gases in the world.

Green hills such as Bukit Gasing are targets of developers.

This means that car owners need to plant 17 trees every year to counter the greenhouse effect of their iron horses, the equivalent of 17,710km of car emissions. This is unlikely to happen, even as the existing tree crop is being destroyed by illegal loggers and green lungs in urban areas being cut and encroached upon by irresponsible parties in the name of development.

Increasingly, there are reports of developments being approved by City Hall or a local authority in an existing green lung — no matter how small it might be. No thought seems to be given to the need to maintain a certain density of development or for the road system. There is no concern for the need to preserve the biodiversity or to saving the diminishing habitat of birds and animals.

Greedy developers, who are only concerned with making money, do not care for the quality of life of residents or the long-term damage they do to the environment. The local authorities who approve the plans are equally guilty of destroying the environment and creating congestion and pollution. Over-development also gives rise to increased run-off and floods, which are becoming commonplace in the country.

Many examples can be cited in the Klang Valley — Bukit Gasing, Taman Melawati Hill, Bukit Antarabangsa, Damansara Heights and now Bukit Bandaraya in Bangsar. The area is already a concrete jungle, where once it was a green hill. The remaining little green belt has been carved out by a developer for luxury apartments and approved by City Hall. As is usually the case, residents in the area are not informed and only find out from a notice, put up by City Hall, informing them of the development plans.

In some instances, residents in the area wake up to find the green lung already being cleared for development. In yet other instances, despite objections from residents, the proposed development goes ahead destroying the green lung, causing erosion and floods in surrounding areas.

No one is against development. But it cannot be indiscriminate. It must be balanced with due consideration for man and nature. The quality of life must be maintained. It cannot be that local authorities only take into account the needs of the developers. They have a responsibility to the residents and citizens and, yes, the environment.

The development of luxury apartments in the small piece of green lung along Jalan Medang Serai will increase the density in the area by 500 per cent. And that according to the notice put up by City Hall. Constructing luxury apartments on that small piece of land was not in the original plan for development of the area. Then again, has an environment impact assessment been done?

What happened to the need for overall planning with green spaces, places for children to play and mix and for neighbours to get to know each other?

Malaysia is known for its development plans. Not indiscriminate planning as is being demonstrated by some local authorities, planners and developers. They must take stock of the situation and pay greater attention to what their actions can and do lead to — destruction of the environment, floods, erosion, permanent loss of biodiversity and habitats for animals. We do not want concrete hills replacing lush, green hills. Unfortunately, this has already happened in a number of areas.

The carbon emissions in the area will definitely increase with increased traffic. Where are the residents going to plant the additional 17 trees to make up for their carbon footprint? Why not preserve what is already there? It is a small price to pay to preserve the environment — not only for the residents in the area, the small animals and birds that inhabit the area, but also for future generations and the long-term preservation of the environment.

Greed and indiscriminate development is rapidly taking a toll on existing green lungs in urban areas. The Bukit Bandaraya area is only the latest. Many encroachments and rape of green lungs go unreported, and the views and concerns of residents go unheeded.

There seems to be no sense of social responsibility as bottom lines and the rush to get rich quick dictate decisions. The authorities that approve these plans are equally guilty of destroying the environment.

Corporate responsibility does not mean handing out huge cheques, written out to some charity, in the presence of VIPs for a photo opportunity and publicity. Undoubtedly these charities do need help and should be assisted. But there is more to corporate responsibility — it also means taking care of the environment, the needs and concerns of fellow citizens and, yes, even the animals, birds and trees need to be taken into account.

Malaysia’s carbon emissions put it within the ranks of the industrialised nations — but not in a ranking we can be proud off. China, which has come under close scrutiny and has been criticised for pollution, has lower per capita emissions than Malaysia at 3.8 tonnes.

It is time Malaysians, including corporate leaders, developers, local authority officials and individuals, took steps to ensure that the environment is protected.

Let’s be honest and admit that growing 17 trees every year by each one of us to counter the greenhouse effect of the cars that we use will not happen. We should at least make a serious effort not to cut down trees that currently stand in lonely and vastly reduced green lungs, especially in urban and residential areas.

In the past few weeks, a number of residents and visiting family members have sought clarification on various issues pertaining to the establishment of security barricades in the Section Five area. Your participation and interest in this process is much appreciated and has helped somewhat to refine proposals to improve the execution of this project. All these queries have been responded to by ED LEE. For the benefit of the Section Five community and people that use the recreation areas of Gasing Hill, some of these Frequently Asked Questions and their responses are recorded here for the benefit of those of you with similar queries. Read More →

By Muguntan Vanar

KOTA KINABALU: Rare footage of the elusive Sumatran rhinoceros has been captured in a two-minute video “camera trap” placed inside the Sabah forest.

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Star Metro, Wednesday April 25, 2007

By Jayagandi Jayaraj
Photos by Low Lay Phoon

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The Star, April 17 2007 

Stories by Hilary Chiew

A tract of forest that hosts rare plants in urban Petaling Jaya, Selangor, is giving way to a burial ground and other development plans. Read More →

In March 2007, when opening the fourth sitting of the 11th Selangor State Assembly, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah made an important statement on the environment which offers a sliver of hope to people that care about nature. Read More →