Experts to draw up KL city development plan
AZURA ABAS
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 10:
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Four consultants have been engaged to draw up the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan, a blueprint to implement the policies stipulated in the KL Structure Plan 2020.
The consultants are tasked with producing development plans for six zones: Sentul-Menjalara, Wangsa Maju-Maluri, Damansara-Penchala, Pusat Bandaraya, Bandar Tun Razak-Sungai Besi, and Bukit Jalil-Seputeh.

Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Isa Samad said the consultants needed about 18 months to complete the local plan, including the much-awaited development plan for the city’s Malay enclave - Kampung Baru.

Within the period, he called on Kampung Baru residents to settle all issues which had thrown a wrench into the wheel of development on the 102.4 hctare neighbourhood.

“If you (Kampung Baru residents) are able to settle all contentions like inheritance issues fast, the quicker it will be for development in your area,” he said.

Last November, Kampung Baru residents finally agreed to develop the area.

Once the local plan was ready, Isa added, it would be open to public viewing so that the authorities could get feedback.

He was speaking at yesterday’s launch of a dialogue between Amanah Raya Berhad and the residents in the Titiwangsa constituency on matters related to inheritance at Dewan Hamzah in Kampung Baru.

Also present were ARB chairman Dusuki Ahmad and managing director Ahmad Rodzi Pawanteh.

Later, Titiwangsa Member of Parliament Datuk Astaman Abdul Aziz contributed RM20,000 to the Malaysian Tsunami Disaster Fund.

Isa and Astaman presented the mock cheque to the New Straits Times, Berita Harian and TV3 reporters.

Asked whether the ministry would consider amending the relevant law if Kampung Baru residents failed to settle their issues, Isa said: “We may look into it.”

On the dengue outbreak, he said, City Hall would immediately deploy special teams to “hot spots” to clean up the areas fast.

Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek was recently quoted as saying that there could be a dengue epidemic in several States in the coming months, following a worrying increase in the number of dengue cases in the Federal Territory, Selangor, Penang and Pahang.

Draft Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020

Since the last KL Structure Plan 1984 was adopted, major developments such as theMultimedia Super Corridor (MSC), the KLIA and the transfer of federal governmentadministrative functions to Putrajaya have rendered most of the previous plan obsolete.The Draft KL Structure Plan 2020 contains the vision, goals, policies and proposals toguide the development of KL over the next 20 years.


The official launch of the exhibition on the Draft KL Structure Plan 2020 was held on 10March 2003. The public was invited to inspect and submit written objections to the DraftPlan. A Public Hearing Committee was then set up to hear, consider and report objectionsto the Draft Plan. REHDA Wilayah Branch had submitted its views and suggestions toDewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) on the Draft Plan on 28 April 2003. Thehearing on the Branch’s recommendation was held on 19 May 2003.


The Public Hearing Committee has since submitted a report to the Mayor who willforward the revised Draft Plan together with the report to the Minister in the PrimeMinister’s Department in charge of Federal Territory affairs for approval. The approvedDraft Plan will then be gazetted and published in local newspapers.


The Draft Plan does not contain proposals for detailed physical planning for any specificarea. Detailed physical proposals shall be relegated to a subsequent stage of thedevelopment plan, that is, the local plan. Under this two-pronged approach, the DraftPlan only outlines the goals, strategies and policies towards achieving the vision of KualaLumpur as a world-class city and identifies ways to minimise or solve issues andproblems faced by the citizens.


After the structure plan comes into force, DBKL may consider the preparation of a localplan for any part or the whole of Kuala Lumpur. The local plan will provide morecomprehensive and detailed planning guidelines for the development of specific sites.

Components of the Draft KL Structure Plan


The Draft Plan was based on twelve main parameters, namely: (1) Economic Base andPopulation, (2) Income And Quality of Life, (3) Commerce, (4)Tourism, (5) Industry, (6)Transportation, (7) Infrastructure and Utilities, (8) Housing and Squatters, (9)Community Facilities, (10) Urban Design and Landscape, (11) Environment and (12)Special areas.A total of 182 policies have been formulated in this Draft Plan covering the 12parameters mentioned above.The final part of the Draft Plan outlines the policies in achieving the objectives of thisplan over the next 20 years.In order to achieve the vision of “A World-Class City”, fivegoals were identified:


Goal 1: To enhance the role of Kuala Lumpur as an international commercial andfinancial center.
Goal 2: To create an efficient and equitable city structure.
Goal 3: To enhance the city living environment.
Goal 4: To create a distinctive city identity and image.Goal 5: To have an efficient and effective governance


Ten development strategies that will guide development policies are summarised below:
• Enhance the working, living and business environment of the City Centre.
• Designate and develop International Zones.
• Designate and implement Comprehensive Development Areas (CDAs).
• Encourage and facilitate the development of Malay Reservation Areas, traditionalkampungs and new villages.
• Initiate and implement the redevelopment of blighted areas.
• Ensure complete and integrated city linkages.
• Provide priority and incentives to development in areas around transit terminals.
• Ensure the functional distribution of centers and facilities.
• Consolidate the development and enhance the environment of stable areas.
• Consolidate the development and enhance the environment of major entry points.

Housing Needs by Cost in 2020

Strategic Zone Low Cost Medium Cost High Cost Total
2020 2000 2020 2000 2020 2000 2020 2000

City Centre 10,496 7,447 20,992 11,455 38,486 12,204 69,975 31,106
Maluri-Wangsa Maju 31,603 17,715 42,981 30,403 51,830 31,147 126,414 79,265
Sentul-Menjalara 36,768 15,975 32,965 11,717 57,055 38,792 126,788 66,484
Damansara-Penchala 5,167 0 28,048 753 40,596 24,220 73,812 24,973
Bukit Jalil-Seputeh 35,713 16,290 30,422 18,846 66,136 44,237 132,271 79,373
Bandar Tun Razak-Sg. Besi 38,823 23,038 25,235 5,415 32,999 18,551 97,057 47,004
Total 158,571 80,465 180,643 78,589 287,101 169,151 626,315 328,205


* Population of Kuala Lumpur was 1.42 million in 2000
+ Source : Draft Structure Plan Kuala Lumpur 2020.




1) The City Centre

Intensified residential development are encouraged in order to attract people back to theCity Centre with emphasis given to the provision of high density, high quality residentialdevelopments.Land use changes to accommodate new commercial development to the exclusion ofother uses shall not be encouraged.New commercial or mixed-use development shall be considered in areas where highquality residences are proposed.Major commercial activities shall be rationalized into special precincts.Traditional shopping precincts will be enhanced and developed as specialised shoppingprecincts.New tourist products aimed at attracting educational tourism, MICE facilities, healthtourism shall be encouraged.Kampung Baru will be consolidated as a residential precinct incorporating commercialfacilities to bring prosperity to the residents.


2) Wangsa Maju – Maluri

The existing international character of high quality and low density around around JalanAmpang/Jalan U-Thant shall be enhanced.Malay Reservations Areas and Air Panas new village require revitalisation.The former government quarters at Jalan Cochrane shall be redeveloped into a mediumresidential neighbourhood.Major development in the zone shall be focused on completion of the developmentprogramme for the Wangsa Maju growth area and intensification of development aroundtransit nodes.This zone will focus on industrial tourism such as the Royal Selangor pewter factory.


3) Sentul – Menjalara

The Malay Reservation Area of Selayang and Gombak shall be improved withinfrastructure , community facilities and utility upgrading.Comprehensive development plans for Pekan Kepong and Jinjing south Extension.Major development in the zone shall be focused on the large-scale commercial andresidential centre in Sentul Raya.Development of Batu Cantonment may focuse on industries that complement the nearbyMalaysian second car plant in Serendah and the proposed Proton City in the BernamValley.New district centers shall be created in Bandar Menjalara, Sentul Raya and Sri Utaraaround the new LRT station on the northern LRT route extension.


4) Damansara – Penchala

A secondary commercial zone for the City Centre along Jalan Bangsar between KLSentral and Telecom Tower shall be developed.Damansara is planned as a high end employment centre to incorporate institutes of higherlearning and research centres.Existing low density and high quality residential areas shall be preserve in Federal Hill,Taman duta and Bukit Tunku.The former federal government offices at Jalan Duta shall be developed to be a centre forthe collection, distribution, marketing and exhibition of manufactured products that havebeen developed and patented in Malaysia.Damansara-Penchala will focus on education and agro-tourism.


5) Bukit Jalil – Seputeh

Bukit Jalil is designated as an International Zone and shall be developed as a high-classresidential area.Urban renewal shall be undertaken at Kampung Pasir which lies to the west of SungaiKlang.The squatter and long house areas such as those at Kampung Pasir, Kampung PantaiDalam, Kampung Kerinchi and Kuchai Lama shall be redeveloped.
A comprehensive development plan for the dilapidated area at Jalan Penghulu Mat to thesouth of Mid Valley will aim to revitalize this strategically located area.The tourism development in Bukit Jalil-Seputeh will focus on sports and MICE(Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions).


6) Bandar Tun Razak – Sungai Besi

Urban renewal shall be undertaken in Salak Selatan New Village, traditional kampungs atKampong Malaysia Raya and Kampung Cheras Baru.Connections to the LRT station at Salak Selatan shall be improved and intensification ofresidential development encouraged.A comprehensive development plan shall be drawn up for the dilapidated industrial areaat Chan Sow Lin.Major committed development in the zone is focused on the completion of thedevelopment programme for the Bandar Tun Razak growth area.A new neighbourhood center shall be created in Alam Damai.The tourism activities to be focused here is eco-tourism.

http://img12.exs.cx/img12/1042/20203hh.jpg

http://img155.exs.cx/img155/2750/20212we.jpg

http://img97.exs.cx/img97/1741/buku5zc.jpg

Sayang lah..no rendering

Hey guys. Read further down the attached article to see what KL2020 has in mind for the expansion of LRT system. Interesting. Hope the Ninth Malaysia Plan would include all these projects.


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The Draft Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 was successfully prepared in line with the provisions of the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1984 and is currently being displayed by City Hall for the benefit and feedback from the citizens of Kuala Lumpur.

In essence, via this plan, City Hall Kuala Lumpur strives to improve the quality of living, working and business environment so as to make Kuala Lumpur A World-Class City that benefits its people, entrepreneurs, businessman and visitors.

So what is this draft plan? The Draft Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 is the blueprint that will guide the development of Kuala Lumpur for the next 20 years. The Plan outlines the goals, strategies and policies towards achieving the vision as well as identifies ways to minimize or solve issues and problems faced by the citizens.

The Tables 1 and 2 provide a summary of the Vision and the Goal of the Structure Plan respectively, but in eventuality it is the Development Strategy as outlined in Table 3 that will define the opportunities and new development nodes in Kuala Lumpur.

Based on the Development Strategy and Transportation Proposals put forward together with other elements of the Draft Structure Plan, the following areas are identified as potential areas that an investor, developer or a home owner can target for their next venture in the property market. (for a copy of a previous article on Hot Locations on Oct 12, 2002 in BizWeek, kindly e-mail to hotspots@virtualrealty.com.my for an immediate automatic response). Please note that we do not have any interest in these locations and our advice should be regarded solely as a general guide. Please also note that the Structure Plan is for a 20 year period and based on the plan ,we are unable to assess the implementation schedule of the proposed improvements to the city.

1. City Centre. Strong emphasis on creating Kuala Lumpur city also as a residential hub, with DBKL emphasizing on making Kuala Lumpur a world class city. The city will host a bigger number of Urban Dwellers and we are of the opinion that mid to high end condominiums will be the flavor of the seasons to come as high density and high quality residential development will be encouraged in dilapidated housing areas such as those around Jalan Tiong Nam, Jalan Masjid India and Jalan Alor / Berangan.

To complement the surrounding areas, medium density high quality residential development will be designated in the areas around the KLCC, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Bukit Ceylon, Jalan Inai / Imbi and Jalan Stonor / Conlay. The trend is already seen with the success of existing high end developments like Hampshire Park, Kirana and 3 Kia Peng.

For commercial developments, The area within KLCC shall be developed as the main commercial hub, and the area around Jalan Bukit Bintang enhanced as a premier tourist precinct. Part of the area on the former government quarters, next to the existing temporary market at Jalan Davis shall be developed into a comprehensive market, hawkers and food centre which will also be a major tourist attraction. It shall also include a district park. We are also of the opinion that Jalan Raja Chulan will be very prominent as well due to the proposed under ground expressway connecting to the Middle Ring Road.

2. International Zones. DBKL has designated certain localities as International Zones to attract the highest caliber of expertise, both local and overseas, to live as well as work in the Kuala Lumpur. In addition to being high quality residential districts, the International Zones shall also be developed as high-end employment centers specializing in ICT or high skills technology. Commercial activities that cater to the needs and tastes of the international market shall be encouraged and precincts which specialize in international cuisine and culture shall be designated and developed.

These areas include U-Thant/Ampang area, Bangsar/Bkt Tunku/Damansara Heights Area and Bukit Jalil. The southern zone at Bukit Jalil shall serve as a bridge between the City and the MSC high tech areas to the south. Because of its key location in relation to the MSC and the City Centre, it is anticipated that Bukit Jalil will attract many expatriates and local people who are involved in high technology industries.

3. Comprehensive Development Areas. Two new hot spots are identified and targeted by DBKL as new development areas. These two locations are Kg Baru Malay Reserve in the heart of the city and the Jalan Duta federal government complex. These areas shall be comprehensively planned and developed as integrated mixed developments comprising residential, commercial and industrial uses and will include utilities and facilities will meet the demands of its projected residential populations. Each of these areas shall also be served by transit terminals that will be connected to key activities in the area and around which district centres shall be developed.

The Jalan Duta redevelopment shall primarily consist of high-end commercial, office and residential development, hotel and Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) facilities and shall also include a specialist healthcare precinct to serve the local population of Kuala Lumpur as well as to promote healthcare tourism. A district park is also proposed here.

So, they spill over will be felt in around in and around Kg Baru, such as Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Semarak, Chow Kit etc and Jalan Duta such as Sri Hartamas, Mont Kiara, Segambut, Sentul Raya and Jalan Ipoh.

4. Development of Malay Reservation Areas, new villages and traditional kampongs. The development of these areas will be focused on betterment of the lifestyle of the residents without losing its cultural and historical heritage. The areas identified and targeted by DBKL include Kg Baru, Datok Keramat, Bukit Segambut, Sg Penchala, Gombak and Selayang and also new villages like Jinjang and Salak Selatan

5. Intergrated City Linkages. Always the most interesting part of the Structure Plan. Well, the key proposed linkages to have at the back of your mind are the following:

Public Transport

1. Proposed Gombak bus terminus to be integrated with the Putra LRT terminus to create a multi modal interchange incorporating taxi, rail and inter city bus services.

2. Proposal of extending the LRT line further northwards from Sentul Timur towards Taman Wahyu and westward towards Kepong

3. Proposed Jalan Ipoh bus terminus to be integrated with the proposed LRT terminus of the extended STAR LRT line to create a multi modal interchange incorporating taxi, rail and inter city bus services

4. The Segambut KTM rail station in the northwest corner of the Jalan Duta redevelopment shall be upgraded and properly integrated into the development of this area

5. The western spur of the proposed Damansara-Cheras LRT link serves the Damansara district centre and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail neighborhood centre. This line might extend to the new neighbourhood centre at Penchala.

6. The STAR LRT shall be extended to serve the district centre at Bukit Jalil and the feasibility of extending a spur from the PUTRA LRT or the PRT to connect to the new district centre at Bukit Indah via Jalan Klang Lama shall be examined. Another station along this spur shall be developed to connect to the new neighborhood centre at Taman Desa.

7. In order to improve accessibility to the Mid Valley Megamall, a pedestrian connection shall be made to the LRT station at Abdullah Hukum utilizing a pedestrian bridge over the Sungai Klang.

8. A major multi-modal integrated public transportation terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, where the ERL, KTM and STAR LRT intersect, shall be fully developed, which will be integrated with the southern inter-city bus terminal.

9. The eastern spur of the proposed Damansara-Cheras LRT link extending from Taman Tun Dr. Ismail to Taman Segar in Cheras, will pass through the eastern part of this zone. The new line shall start from Taman Maluri station extending southward along Jalan Cheras to serve the Taman Midah neighborhood centre, Taman Segar district centre and other urban centres up to Kajang.

New Roads Construction and Improvements to Existing Roads

A. Proposed Roads

1. Underground Expressway beneath Jalan Raja Chulan connecting to the Middle Ring Road in the East

2. An inner city by pass road, part of which will be underground, a direct link from Jalan Syed Putra in the south of the City Centre to Jalan Dang Wangi

B Commited Highway/Expressway Projects

1. Dedicated Highway from KL to KLIA
2. Kuala Lumpur towards Serendah Expressway (LEKLAS)
3. Pandan Corridor
4. Kuala Lumpur North East Expressway

Yea....the draft plan is pretty interesting. I've got a copy of it 2 years back and the proposed routes are clearly drawn on the transportation map. ;)

For public transport #1 proposal.....actually they are supposed to start construction already. This goes in tandem with the interchange at Bandar Tasik Selatan which is similar but with more train services :)

# 2 was in the news the other day.....hope they start soon ;)

I just hope they pour in more money to upgrade public transport (esp rail services) instead of building silly things here and there.......

And no more privatisation of public transport please.....we've had enuf. If the govt wants to do that.....do it the Sg way - have a govt body to monitor and govern the system......so the private companies just run the trains for profit. Everyone happy :D

Lets hope that the proposed extensions to the public transportation system get carried out as soon as possible... I'm looking forward to seeing an LRT line in front of 1Utama... I bet this will be one of the most utilized train stops around! The traffic congestion on weekends at that place is horrible and a train service will be most welcome...

Btw, the underground expressway at Jln. Raja Chulan is interesting... Wonder when this one will also start...

Yea....the draft plan is pretty interesting. I've got a copy of it 2 years back and the proposed routes are clearly drawn on the transportation map. ;)



Huh? You've seen the alignment? Which one? Damansara-Cheras Line or the extension of the current systems?

Scan and paste it here my friend.....

Btw, the underground expressway at Jln. Raja Chulan is interesting... Wonder when this one will also start...

Yes, it is interesting indeed. It will cut across the golf course, kpg pandan and a part of cheras before get linked with MRR2... at least 5 km underground tunnel has to be constructed. :eek2:

Can dub it as Mini-Big-Dig.

Yes, it is interesting indeed. It will cut across the golf course, kpg pandan and a part of cheras before get linked with MRR2... at least 5 km underground tunnel has to be constructed. :eek2:

Can dub it as Mini-Big-Dig.


Hmmm....I wonder where would the tunnel entrance/exit would be at Jalan Raja Chulan cause that road is not as wide. :?

Huh? You've seen the alignment? Which one? Damansara-Cheras Line or the extension of the current systems?

Scan and paste it here my friend.....


All the proposed alignment with proposed stations. ;)

Scanner rosak lah bruder......see what I could do bout it :)

Lets hope that the proposed extensions to the public transportation system get carried out as soon as possible... I'm looking forward to seeing an LRT line in front of 1Utama... I bet this will be one of the most utilized train stops around! The traffic congestion on weekends at that place is horrible and a train service will be most welcome...





Your 1 Utama extension would not be covered in the draft plan cos that area not KL. So I have no idea of the extentions beyond KL :(


Not just 1 Utama....it should go all the way to Sunway, Subang Jaya and USJ as well ;)

5. The western spur of the proposed Damansara-Cheras LRT link serves the Damansara district centre and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail neighborhood centre. This line might extend to the new neighbourhood centre at Penchala.
I think 1U could be covered indirectly since its so near TTDI and Penchala is just beyond Bandar Utama... Apparently i also heard of the LRT being extended all the way to Desa ParkCity next to Bandar Manjalara... Is that true?

http://www.dbkl.gov.my/pskl2020/indexpskl_files/image002.jpg

Pelan Struktur Kuala Lumpur telah diwartakan pemakaiannya pada 4 November 2004. Salinan pelan ini boleh dilihat atau dibeli di Jabatan Pelan Induk, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur

Dapatkan salinan Pelan Struktur Kuala Lumpur 2020

Tempat:
Jabatan Pelan Induk
Tingkat 12, Bangunan DBKL
Jalan Raja Laut
50350 Kuala Lumpur

Masa:
Isnin - Jumaat : 8.30 Pagi - 4.00 Petang

Harga:
RM 120.00 (Versi Bahasa Malaysia)
RM 150.00 (Versi Bahasa Inggeris)

Telefon:
03-26179573 / 9570

.

online version : http://www.dbkl.gov.my/pskl2020/english/index.htm

Are the other structural plans for Selangor integrated with the DBKL structural plan?

Cheers, m

KL Plan at final stage of drafting
Tuesday January 29, 2008
By BAVANI M
TheStar

THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is at the final stage of drafting the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2020 (DKLPT2020) and, if everything goes well, it will be put up for public review in June 2008.

According to mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan, a committee comprising a focus discussion group and a technical team are involved in research for the drafting of the plan.

Once the draft plan is made public, the Kuala Lumpur residents will be able to know the proposals for development in their neighbourhoods.

“Once ready, the draft plan will be displayed for public viewing and I hope the residents will take time off to study the plan and submit their objections if there are any,'' Hakim said.

The developments will include use of land, preservation of environment, improvement of landscape and traffic management, among others.

Hakim said that if there were public objections, an independent committee would be set up to deal with them.

“The committee would re-evaluate the proposals and come up with the best possible solution for all,” Hakim said.

“But the people have to be reasonable about it. If the issue is about a little open space earmarked for development, don't expect that there will be changes,” he said.

Hakim said that it was not easy trying to balance the needs of the city folks with those of the investors.

But he promised that the DBKL would study all the pros and cons and come up with the best possible decision for all concerned.

Hakim said that although one could not stop the trend of urbanisation, the DBKL would strive to come up with a win-win solution to meet the needs of both the residents and investors.

The draft local plan translates the vision, goals, strategies and policies of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP2020) into concrete development proposals for implementation.

It will include a physical development map, and written commentaries and explanations on the strategic directions, development control moves, and a development guide for the city.

Hakim said that the draft plan would be a guide for decision-makers, city planners, designers and builders on the direction of growth for the city towards achieving world-class status.

KL draft plan 2020 for public scrutiny

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020 will be available for public viewing and scrutiny for six weeks from Thursday.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said the plan, which is divided into six zones, could be viewed at several places in the city.

The zones are Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Damansara-Penchala, Wangsa Maju-Naluri, Sentul-Manjalara, Bandar Tun Razak-Sungei Besi and Bukit Jalil-Seputeh.

He said the public could also access the plan, which contains maps and development details for each zone, at klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my.


"The public can give their comments or objections in writing through a form available at the exhibition locations," he said, adding that the public could also do so via the website.

He said the draft involved proposals to guide the development of an area covering 243 sq km in Kuala Lumpur until 2020.

"It will be gazetted after discussion sessions and public hearings, and the finalised plan will announced in the media," he said.

Zulhasnan said among the locations earmarked for further development were Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Berjaya Times Square, TTDI Community Centre (library), KL Sentral station and Mid Valley City.

Time to speak up
Azira Shaharuddin



KUALA LUMPUR: If you are unhappy with the air, the water, the streets you walk or issues related to the city, now is the time to speak out.

After more than 20 years of preparation, the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 is ready, and its draft copies can be viewed by the public from today.

The places to see the draft plans are City Hall (main lobby), Berjaya Times Square, TTDI Community Centre (library), KL Sentral (level 1), Gombak Community Centre, Carrefour Wangsa Maju (ground floor), Bandar Tun Razak Community Centre, Tesco Ampang, Kampung Kerinchi Community Centre, and Mid Valley City (level 1 and 2).

KLites have until June 30 to give their opinions on the draft plan to City Hall or voice their objections. After the deadline, the plan will be approved. Among the locations earmarked for development are Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Berjaya Times Square, TTDI Community Centre (library), KL Sentral station and Mid Valley City.


With the availability of the draft plan, the public can now have a good idea of how KL is going to be developed in the future.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said she hopes the views and requests of the public are accepted by City Hall and incorporated into the plan.

She urged members of the public to get a copy of the plan (which will be on sale from today), study it and voice their opinions.

Teresa said she was invited twice for meetings with City Hall to formulate the plan but she could not attend as the notice was given at the last minute.

"It gives the impression that Kuala Lumpur City Hall doesn't want to consult the MPs," she said.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said: "Members of the public should get a copy of the book as this has important consequences on our way of living in the future.

He said the plan defines usage of land in the city and other important aspects of town planning such as public transport, basic amenities and green lungs.

He suggested that Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique allow all the Kuala Lumpur MPs to attend the meetings to study proposals and objections by KLites and residents' associations.

"We are representatives of the people, we know our areas well, he said.

Tan said he would meet soon with residents in Cheras and tell them what would happen to their neighbourhoods.

"I will gather their feedback and give it to City Hall on their behalf."

Local government and city planning expert, Derek Fernandez said the draft plan is a detailed zoning and development plan of Kuala Lumpur as required by law since 1984.

"It's an important plan to determine locations of the high rise projects, green lungs and many more. It's like the architect plan of a house such as the location of the bathroom, bedroom but on a bigger scale," he said.

Derek said if the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2020 is approved with everything clearly spelt out, it would lead to fewer disputes with the residents and the local authorities.

"If the plan is too general, it can give rise to contentious issues. But once the plan is gazetted, there would be no more public hearing and the residents have to comply with everything in the plan," he said.

He said city folk should ask for the right to be heard even after the plan was approved as even the Petaling Jaya Local Draft Plan 1 allows it.

Friday May 16, 2008
Tempers flare as KL Plan is revealed
By BAVANI M and YIP YOKE TENG

TEMPERS flared, heated words were exchanged and some even uttered curses as residents voiced their dissatisfaction when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) revealed the contents of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 yesterday at City Hall.

Before Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan launched the plan, residents from Federal Hill, Bukit Gasing and Bangsar were seen scrutinising parts of the plan that was exhibited at the lobby of the DBKL headquarters.
Popular document: Hard copy versions of the plan were selling like hot cakes during the launch.

It did not take them long to pick out the discrepancies as many were present with their legal advisers.

When it dawned on them that some spots in their neighbourhoods had been earmarked for development, some started arguing in a loud manner and were even heard hurling expletives.

One of the more vocal groups were the Federal Hill residents when their greatest fear became a reality after discovering that their neighbourhood land which was formerly Institutional (Police Reserve land) had been rezoned as Commercial.

“I am disappointed and shocked at this turn of events. What was earlier zoned as government institutional land has now become commercial overnight and this was done without consultation with the community.

“This would significantly impact the quality of our lives here,” Federal Hill resident Amar Khan said.

“We did not expect this at all,” resident Pook Li Yoon said.

“We thought that they would take into consideration that the land is institutional and hence of low density as per the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSO2020). We are in shock at this blatant disregard of the rules,” she said.

Federal Hill legal adviser Derek Fernandez questioned the legality of the plan, which he said is in direct contravention of the KLSP2020.

“I want to know who approved the plan. He should go to jail,” the visibly-upset Fernandez said.

Fernandez said that under the law, before preparing the draft plan (and it was prepared two years ago), there must be a pre-consultative process under Sec 12 (a) of the Local Government Act 1976 (2002) and that DBKL did not do this.

Fernandez also said that policy CF3 of the KLSP2020 ensures that land designated as Institutional use (Police Reserve) must only be used for public purposes.

“Public purpose means public facilities like parks, museum, educational facilities and similar public facilities. This new development directly contravenes policy CF3.

“We will demand who had changed the land status and why there was no-pre-consultation. They are supposed to implement policies in the plan and this is not implementation but a violation of it,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Gasing residents were also not happy with what the plan revealed, as there are proposed developments near the riverbank area.

One resident who identified himself as Vincent said the land surrounding Bukit Gasing is supposed to be meant for recreation but the plan shows that there will be developments right into the riverbank and this contravened the KLSP2020.

“The plan shows substantial development is being proposed here, it’s simply ridiculous,” Vincent said.

When contacted, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee expressed his concern over the proposed development and said he would be seeking more details on the matter as well asking to see the necessary papers.

Bangsar residents led by the Bangsar Baru Residents Association president Datuk George Joseph was also spotted checking out the plan and was heard commenting that he was not happy with the high density infrastructure taking place in the Medan Serai area.

Tan Poh Eng, 71, wanted to check the zoning status of his land in Segambut, which was zoned as agricultural.

“I was surprised to discover that there are proposals to break it up and I am worried about it,” he said, adding that he would be submitting his objections soon.

Pook said that DBKL has given residents six weeks to view and object to the draft plan and that during the recent round table discussions with the Kuala Lumpur MP’s, it was recommended that the hearing be extended to another three months.

“After all they took 26 years to produce the draft plan so what’s the hurry?” she asked.

The draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 lays a series of goals and policies to achieve environmental, social and economic development simultaneously. The goals are:

1) To be a World Class City

KL will have made many positive changes to the physical environment without compromising the local environment and its ecology. It also commits to creating a liveable and attractive environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

2) A Dynamic World Class Business City

KL shall strengthen its role as the premier business and retail hub of the nation, becoming a dynamic international centre that will promote national and regional growth.

3) Connectivity and Accessibility for the City

The draft plan shall move towards an integrated approach to promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system to enhance the city living environment. Transport proposal identified for the draft plan shall reinforce objectives of the KLSP2020.

4) Sustainable Land Use

The pattern of land uses, their location, mix and intensity, is a critical component of the city’s character and structure. It is intended to provide sufficient land for residential, commercial, industrial, and public use.

5) City Living Environment

KL is home to 1.6 mil people and this is expected to grow to 2.2 mil by the year 2020. With more than 464, 9966 homes today, the housing sector is fast growing and contributes significantly to the urban footprint of the city. Hence the plan emphasises the provision of adequate, safe, healthy and comfortable housing for all the city’s residents.

6) Protecting and Enhancing the Environment

As pressure for development in Kuala Lumpur becomes more intense, the need for the protection of the environment becomes greater. Ensuring environmentally sound and sustainable development and achieving world-class environment becomes more challenging and demanding for KL.

7) Enhancing Green Network and Blue Corridor

Parks, green spaces and rivers benefit cities socially, economically and environmentally. KL’s vision is of a network of high quality, accessible parks and green spaces which promote recreation, health, education and economic regeneration, helping to make Kuala Lumpur a significantly more attractive city in which to live and work.

8) Distinctive City Image & Identity

KL is a city of different races and cultures. As a fast developing city, KL has to define its image and identity to ensure that it's heritage is conserved and new developments within the city reflect greater awareness towards urban design excellence that shapes a distinctive KL.

9) Green Infrastructure

To become a sustainable world city, KL must use natural resources more efficiently, increase its re-use of resources, and reduce levels of waste and environmental degradation. As KL grows, these objectives will become even more important.

http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/

DBKL yakin pembangunan dapat dikawal

Oleh muhammad dayne azmin

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Mei - Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) yakin dapat mengawal pembangunan membabitkan 120,000 lot tanah melalui Pelan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur 2020 yang kini dipamerkan kepada orang ramai.

Datuk Bandar, Datuk Ab. Hakim Borhan berkata, dengan adanya inisiatif pembangunan yang meliputi pelbagai aspek seperti pengangkutan, perumahan, perdagangan, pelancongan dan sebagainya, pelan ini dapat menyokong kerajaan dalam proses penjenamaan Kuala Lumpur sebagai bandar raya terpenting di rantau ini.

Beliau berkata, dengan adanya ketetapan zon kegunaan tanah tersebut pada masa akan datang, DBKL tidak perlu lagi menghubungi pemilik bersebelahan setiap lot semasa menimbangkan permohonan kebenaran merancang.

''Saya yakin penstrukturan ini secara tidak langsung dapat mempromosikan Kuala Lumpur sebagai bandar raya terancang dan juga membantu meningkatkan kegiatan pelaburan,'' katanya.

Beliau menyatakan demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas majlis perasmian Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur 2020 di sini hari ini.

Ab. Hakim bagaimanapun menjelaskan, pewartaan Pelan Tempatan Kuala Lumpur dijangka hanya diluluskan hujung tahun ini, bergantung kepada pindaan yang perlu dilakukan setelah mengambil kira kesemua pandangan orang ramai ke atas draf yang telah disediakan.

Beliau berkata, setelah semua proses dari aduan dan siasatan selesai dijalankan, barulah pewartaan pelan tempatan dapat dilakukan di bawah Seksyen 16 (2), Akta 267.

Tambahnya, orang ramai boleh mengunjungi pameran di setiap zon yang telah ditetapkan seperti Zon Strategik Pusat Bandar Raya, Damansara-Penchala, Wangsa Maju-Maluri, Sentul-Menjalara, Bandar Tun Razak-Sungai Besi dan Bukit Jalil-Seputeh.

Sementara itu, orang ramai boleh menyemak serta membeli Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur ini di Jabatan Induk, Bangunan DBKL bermula pada hari ini.

Draf ini dijual pada harga RM120 senaskhah bagi versi bahasa Malaysia dan RM150 senaskhah untuk versi bahasa Inggeris manakala versi Kampung Baharu, ia dijual RM50 senaskhah kepada orang ramai.

No exemption for those two hills
Noel Achariam

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Friday/Stories/2241450/insidepix1
Eager to know the future of their city; members of the public lining up at City Hall to buy the draft plan at RM120 a copy.

KUALA LUMPUR: The two controversial areas, which residents have been fighting to keep as green lungs, are earmarked for development under the 2020 Kuala Lumpur City Hall draft plan.

In the draft plan, which was made available to the public yesterday, houses and bungalows will be built on Federal Hill and Bukit Gasing despite the residents having gone to the extent of getting court injunctions to stop such developments.

Bukit Gasing has been marked as "residential area one" with not more than four people per part while Federal Hill, including the Jalan Travers police station, has been classified as commercial area.

The public can voice their objections to the draft plan on or before June 30 by filling up the PA 1 form, which can be obtained from the City Hall website or City Hall office.


Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ab Hakim Borhan said: "I would like to invite all the citizens of KL to join us and give their views on how we can improve the draft plan that will benefit us and create a world class city by 2020."

Hakim said City Hall has finally succeeded in formulating its first local draft plan after 20 years of planning.

"With this plan, the development process in Kuala Lumpur can now be carried out according to plan," he added.

"The public will now have an idea of how City Hall will be utilising 120,000 plots in the city.

"In the draft, we identified the areas that need to be developed and help modernise small businesses in the city.

"The draft will also be used as a guideline by foreign investors who are interested in investing in Kuala Lumpur."

He added that transportation in the city will be upgraded with plans to increase the area of coverage by trains from 10 per cent to 61 per cent.

"We plan to integrate the rails with the whole of the Klang Valley and we will also be including a number of lots to be developed into community centres, parks and schools," he said.

City Hall said in a press statement with the availability of the plan, it will no longer need to scrutinise all planning applications; and this in turn will help to elevate City Hall's service delivery.

The statement also said Kuala Lumpur will be marketed on an international level with a strategic direction lined out in the draft plan to attract foreign investors to Kuala Lumpur.

rm120??? mahalnya...no discount? im very interested with this...

Tempers flare as KL Plan is revealed
Friday May 16, 2008
By BAVANI M and YIP YOKE TENG
TheStar (http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/central/21265368&sec=central)

TEMPERS flared, heated words were exchanged and some even uttered curses as residents voiced their dissatisfaction when Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) revealed the contents of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 yesterday at City Hall.

Before Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan launched the plan, residents from Federal Hill, Bukit Gasing and Bangsar were seen scrutinising parts of the plan that was exhibited at the lobby of the DBKL headquarters.



http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/16/central/m_02draft.jpg

Popular document: Hard copy versions of the plan
were selling like hot cakes during the launch.




It did not take them long to pick out the discrepancies as many were present with their legal advisers.

When it dawned on them that some spots in their neighbourhoods had been earmarked for development, some started arguing in a loud manner and were even heard hurling expletives.

One of the more vocal groups were the Federal Hill residents when their greatest fear became a reality after discovering that their neighbourhood land which was formerly Institutional (Police Reserve land) had been rezoned as Commercial.

“I am disappointed and shocked at this turn of events. What was earlier zoned as government institutional land has now become commercial overnight and this was done without consultation with the community.

“This would significantly impact the quality of our lives here,” Federal Hill resident Amar Khan said.

“We did not expect this at all,” resident Pook Li Yoon said.

“We thought that they would take into consideration that the land is institutional and hence of low density as per the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSO2020). We are in shock at this blatant disregard of the rules,” she said.

Federal Hill legal adviser Derek Fernandez questioned the legality of the plan, which he said is in direct contravention of the KLSP2020.

“I want to know who approved the plan. He should go to jail,” the visibly-upset Fernandez said.

Fernandez said that under the law, before preparing the draft plan (and it was prepared two years ago), there must be a pre-consultative process under Sec 12 (a) of the Local Government Act 1976 (2002) and that DBKL did not do this.

Fernandez also said that policy CF3 of the KLSP2020 ensures that land designated as Institutional use (Police Reserve) must only be used for public purposes.

“Public purpose means public facilities like parks, museum, educational facilities and similar public facilities. This new development directly contravenes policy CF3.

“We will demand who had changed the land status and why there was no-pre-consultation. They are supposed to implement policies in the plan and this is not implementation but a violation of it,” Fernandez said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Gasing residents were also not happy with what the plan revealed, as there are proposed developments near the riverbank area.

One resident who identified himself as Vincent said the land surrounding Bukit Gasing is supposed to be meant for recreation but the plan shows that there will be developments right into the riverbank and this contravened the KLSP2020.

“The plan shows substantial development is being proposed here, it’s simply ridiculous,” Vincent said.

When contacted, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee expressed his concern over the proposed development and said he would be seeking more details on the matter as well asking to see the necessary papers.

Bangsar residents led by the Bangsar Baru Residents Association president Datuk George Joseph was also spotted checking out the plan and was heard commenting that he was not happy with the high density infrastructure taking place in the Medan Serai area.

Tan Poh Eng, 71, wanted to check the zoning status of his land in Segambut, which was zoned as agricultural.

“I was surprised to discover that there are proposals to break it up and I am worried about it,” he said, adding that he would be submitting his objections soon.

Pook said that DBKL has given residents six weeks to view and object to the draft plan and that during the recent round table discussions with the Kuala Lumpur MP’s, it was recommended that the hearing be extended to another three months.

“After all they took 26 years to produce the draft plan so what’s the hurry?” she asked.

The draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 lays a series of goals and policies to achieve environmental, social and economic development simultaneously. The goals are:

1) To be a World Class City

KL will have made many positive changes to the physical environment without compromising the local environment and its ecology. It also commits to creating a liveable and attractive environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

2) A Dynamic World Class Business City

KL shall strengthen its role as the premier business and retail hub of the nation, becoming a dynamic international centre that will promote national and regional growth.

3) Connectivity and Accessibility for the City

The draft plan shall move towards an integrated approach to promote more sustainable and environmentally friendly transport system to enhance the city living environment. Transport proposal identified for the draft plan shall reinforce objectives of the KLSP2020.

4) Sustainable Land Use

The pattern of land uses, their location, mix and intensity, is a critical component of the city’s character and structure. It is intended to provide sufficient land for residential, commercial, industrial, and public use.

5) City Living Environment

KL is home to 1.6 mil people and this is expected to grow to 2.2 mil by the year 2020. With more than 464, 9966 homes today, the housing sector is fast growing and contributes significantly to the urban footprint of the city. Hence the plan emphasises the provision of adequate, safe, healthy and comfortable housing for all the city’s residents.

6) Protecting and Enhancing the Environment

As pressure for development in Kuala Lumpur becomes more intense, the need for the protection of the environment becomes greater. Ensuring environmentally sound and sustainable development and achieving world-class environment becomes more challenging and demanding for KL.

7) Enhancing Green Network and Blue Corridor

Parks, green spaces and rivers benefit cities socially, economically and environmentally. KL’s vision is of a network of high quality, accessible parks and green spaces which promote recreation, health, education and economic regeneration, helping to make Kuala Lumpur a significantly more attractive city in which to live and work.

8) Distinctive City Image & Identity

KL is a city of different races and cultures. As a fast developing city, KL has to define its image and identity to ensure that it's heritage is conserved and new developments within the city reflect greater awareness towards urban design excellence that shapes a distinctive KL.

9) Green Infrastructure

To become a sustainable world city, KL must use natural resources more efficiently, increase its re-use of resources, and reduce levels of waste and environmental degradation. As KL grows, these objectives will become even more important.

City Hall lobby a hive of activity as plans go on display
Friday May 16, 2008
TheStar

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/16/central/m_03derek.jpg

Keen interest: Legal adviser Derek Fernandez (second from right)
explaining key points of the plan to Federal Hill residents.


THE launch and exhibition of the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 turned City Hall lobby into a hive of activity yesterday with some 300 members of residents’ associations, NGOs, private corporations and government agencies turning up.

They were seen scrutinising the land use zoning of their respective areas and queuing up to buy the RM200 hardcopy of the draft plan.

That, however, led to frustration and disappointment among some groups who felt that their areas would be over-developed and the green lungs would be encroached on if the plan proceeds.

The draft plan was prepared in accordance with Section 13(2) of the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 and its main function is to interpret information, strategies and policies outlined in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020. It details the intended use, as well as development intensity of all 120,000 lots of lands in the city.

It comprises four volumes of reports - the first volume lists out the strategy directions to turn Kuala Lumpur into a world-class city by year 2020, the second volume is the Kuala Lumpur Development Control Plan that contains guidelines controlling the development of Kuala Lumpur.

The third volume contains development-planning guidelines while the last volume is a special report detailing the development planned for Kampong Baru.

However, the third volume was not available for sale at the launch.

The draft plan will be exhibited for six weeks at City Hall headquarters’ lobby and a mobile exhibition will also take place at 12 locations around the city, at a shopping centre and a community hall in each of the Strategic Zones.

The public are encouraged to study the draft plan and give their views in writing by filling up the forms provided at the exhibition areas or through the e-Opinion Form on the official website klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my.

City Hall has also developed the Executive Information System on its official website to help the public study the plan.

Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan later told a press conference that the plan would be gazetted by the end of this year if everything proceeded smoothly.

He assured reporters that the city would have more green lungs in addition to the existing ones.

Hakim also said that the rail network coverage would be increased from the current 10% to 61%. He added that 12 areas had been identified for the rail system but the locations could not be revealed at this point.

He said that plans are in the pipeline to increase bus services as well as support services like park and ride and pedestrian walkways in the city centre.

“The emphasis would also be given to improving the quality of the environment.

“This includes upgrading and carrying out river cleansing exercises as well as building a series of green belts connecting rivers, parks and other recreational areas.

“On top of that, there is a need for an excellent infrastructure system to combat floods, to control rubbish and manage sewerage efficiently and promote water recycling and this is so that the image and identity of Kuala Lumpur's cultural heritage is safeguarded,” Hakim said.

All views submitted will be assessed by a Public Opinion Hearing Committee appointed by the mayor. This committee is made up of City Hall advisory board members, former City Hall officials, planners, town planning academicians from universities and other professionals.

Town planner/ architect Datuk Esa Mohamed, who is also a City Hall advisory board member, will head the committee.

Seven public hearing locations will be set up, one at each of the Strategic Zones, including City Hall’s buildings at Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Raja Abdullah.

During the hearings, individuals would have 10minutes each to voice their views while organisations have 20minutes.

Let's talk about the KL City Plan (2020) which has been released on 15 May 2008.

Main website (http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/)
Plan Overview page (http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/eis/index.php)
Volume I.pdf (preview only) (http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/eis?dl_id=45)
Volume II.pdf (preview only) (http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/eis?dl_id=44)
E-opinion page (http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/eopinion/index.php)

Cheers, m

I hope they will build the tallest buildig in the world, better 2020m :banana:

^^ nuh....we do not need that!!!

^^ I suppose he want's something like what the goliath company Emaar creates...

Copies of KL Plan selling well
By CHRISTINA LOW


HARDLY a week after the launching of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, copies of the plan are fast disappearing as residents and developers queue up to buy them.

According to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) master plan department town planner Zamri Mohd Saharin, close to 3,000 visitors have dropped in at the DBKL office to view the plan, with many buying copies of the plan.

The two-volume master plan set is priced at RM150 for the English version and RM120 for the Bahasa Malaysia version. Another volume on the Kampung Baru Plan is only available in Bahasa Malaysia and is priced at RM50 per copy.

Officers at the sales counter said more than 600 sets of the master plan had been sold so far, mostly the English version.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/22/central/p4DraftPlan.jpg
Interested: (From right) Chee Har Ping, 30, looking at the KL Draft Plan books at the sales counter in City Hall Kuala Lumpur.

Zamri said that most of the visitors were keen to know the future development of their residential area and also wanted to check on the city’s land bank.

He said the response to the draft plan was encouraging although it was still fairly low at present.

“We expect to see an increase in response and reaction after about three weeks when the people had studied the plan thoroughly,” Zamri said.

For details on the exhibition areas and information on the draft plans, visit klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my

City Hall to revise panel list
By BAVANI M


UNDER mounting pressure from the public, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has decided to revise its list of members in the public hearing panel to include professionals, environmentalists and consumer groups to conduct the hearing.

KL mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan announced this during the weekly DBKL meet-the-press session yesterday.

Hakim said the position of the chairman would also be reviewed and that a decision on the matter would be made by next week.

According to Hakim, the Federal Territories Ministry has asked him to nominate the panel members, including its chairman.

Unlike the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP2020) where the minister chooses the panel members, the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982 is however silent on who should pick the panel members for the Draft City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020).

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/22/central/p4HakimBorhan.jpg
Making a point: Hakim at the meet the press session yesterday.

Hakim said he would consult Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique on the matter.

Hakim said the DBKL was also considering beefing up the size of the KLCP2020 public hearing panel. The pane currently has 18 members.

“The existing panel members will be retained for now, but new members will be appointed from various bodies. On the chairman’s position, we will discuss it with the ministry,” he said.

“After all, it seems that there are people who think that there is no conflict of interest and the chairman should stay,” he said.

StarMetro had reported yesterday that the KLCP2020 hearing panel comprised DBKL Advisory Board members, former DBKL directors and town planners.

It has also been pointed out that KLCP2020 hearing panel chairman Datuk Esa Mohamed is a director of consultancy firm AJM Planners, the main consultant company engaged by the DBKL to produce both the Structure and Draft plans for the city.

With Esa as the hearing panel chairman, many people feel that the panel would be biased.

According to environment lawyer Derek Fernandez, if Esa prepared both the Structure and Local draft plans, then he must be aware of policy CF3 of the KLSP2020 which ensures that land designated under institutional (police reserve) must only be used for public purposes.

“So how did he allow Federal Hill land to be coloured blue for commercial?” Fernandez said.

“If somebody were to say that the draft plan is fundamentally flawed, how can Esa keep an open mind as if it was true, then it would mean that he did not do what he was paid to do as the DBKL consultants,” Fernandez said.

“If someone at the hearing points out that the plan is wrong, and goes on to prove it, can he agree with that?” Fernandez asked.

Esa had told StarMetro that he was prepared to step down if at all there was a conflict of interest.

DBKL extends deadline for feedback on plan


THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has decided to extend the deadline for the public to raise their objections to the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 from June 30 to Aug 31.

KL mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said the decision was made after receiving feedback from residents that the draft was complicated and that the residents needed extra time to digest it.

“It’s not a problem for us to extend it if that’s what the public wants,’’ Hakim said, adding that he hoped that the residents would make the most of their time and confer with experts to study the plan.

Hakim said that the DBKL would also be having dialogues with residents at community centres in each constituency to further explain to residents how the plan was going to affect their neighbourhood.

“This is your chance to have your say so please make the most of it and do the necessary,” he said.

Meanwhile, many city folks still feel that the extension is insufficient

Federal Hill resident Pook Li Yoon said that a maximum of six months was needed for a person to study the plan.

“The document is complicated and the maps are confusing and we need more time. Besides, if Petaling Jaya folks can have three months to study their draft plan, then Kuala Lumpur with a much bigger area can certainly do with extra time,” said Pook.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai welcomed the extension but said that he had received many complaints that the draft plan was expensive.

“I think that to encourage city folks to study the plan, the DBKL should provide free copies of the draft to residents associations and non-governmental organisations,” said Tan, adding that this was a good way to get public feedback on the plan.

Aug 31 deadline to voice objections

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2246233/insidepix1
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Bandar Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan says all suggestions from the public are welcome

KUALA LUMPUR: City folk have until Aug 31 to voice their opinions or objections to the Draft Kuala Lumpur 2020 City Plan.

The objection period, originally slated for six weeks from May 15, has been extended.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said yesterday that the extension was to give more time for the people of KL to review and understand the draft before raising their concerns or objections.

"We welcome any form of suggestion although we feel that suggestions or objections should come from groups as more ideas can be garnered.


"We are also willing to send our officials to explain the draft to respective areas, so the community there can understand better and give on-the-spot feedback."

As of Monday, 600 sets of the city's 2020 draft plan had been sold and 2,800 people had visited the exhibition at the lobby of City Hall in Jalan Raja Laut.

On the public hearing date, Hakim said it had yet to be confirmed as City Hall was looking into having more members for its public hearing committee.

Currently, the committee has 21 members, comprising professionals and representatives from non-governmental organisations and residents' associations.

"We are inviting additional members and hope to have a meeting with them by next week.

"The new members will also need some time to go through the draft first."

On the question of whether committee chairman architect Datuk Esa Mohamed would be replaced, Hakim said the Federal Territories Ministry had given him the mandate to appoint Esa.

And as for suggestions that city MPs should also be included in the committee, Hakim said he would have to discuss the matter further with the ministry.

The public can voice their opinion or objection in writing to the director of Master Plan Department, level 12, City Hall building, Jalan Raja Laut, 50350, Kuala Lumpur.

Be open to development, Kg Baru told
Azira Shaharuddin

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2246229/insidepix1
Kampung Baru (foreground) holds sentimental value for the Malay community who in the past, have fended off developers eyeing the area. (Inset) Datuk Seri Suleiman Mohamed.

KUALA LUMPUR: Kampung Baru landowners should look positively at the massive development proposals laid out in the Draft Kuala Lumpur 2020 City Plan, said former Titiwangsa member of parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Suleiman Mohamed.

He said landowners should also be practical instead of sentimental over the proposed development plans.

"Please do not get me wrong and don't say that I'm not a nationalist.

"I am fully aware that Kampung Baru is the largest Malay land bank in the city, but we must be realistic too," he told Streets in an interview on Tuesday.


Suleiman served as an MP in the area for four terms and was the chairman of a committee to redevelop Kampung Baru in 1990.

He said in one perspective, the proposed developments could be turned into an economic leverage for the landowners.

"That's why it was proposed that the land status be changed into mixed commercial and residential area from the Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS), so that landowners can sell or lease their land."

He said the MAS status has been there for more than 100 years since Sultan Sulaiman of Selangor gave Kampung Baru to the Malays in 1900.

"The MAS is obsolete and not practical any more. If the area is opened for development, it can be part of the city's golden triangle," he said.

Suleiman said landowners should not feel isolated if Kampung Baru is opened for massive development.

"They could build some good low or medium-cost houses so there would still be Malays living in Kampung Baru," he said.

City Hall or the government should also compensate landowners, regardless of whether their land would be developed or otherwise.

"It should be a standard compensation for everyone," he said.

Suleiman also suggested that landowners could set up a co-operative and co-develop their land with other corporate companies.

He was also glad to know that a corporation would be set up by City Hall to manage Kampung Baru, like Putrajaya Corporation and Labuan Corporation.

Suleiman said although he had only glanced through the draft, he noticed that the proposed developments "do not look international enough".

"It should be a city within a city. They should make it more appealing to foreigners by having state-of-the-art infrastructure and a modern city management," he said.

Suleiman said as a former MP, he knew Kampung Baru well and the problems faced by the landowners.

He said some land had multiple ownerships, with one case of 200 owners for only a half-an-acre plot.

"Most of the landowners have a few houses for rental and would be reluctant to sell them for fear of losing an income of up to RM2,000 a month."

However, he is confident that the people there will accept development.

It was reported that among the plans were to develop Kampung Baru as a main residential centre, upgrade its office and commercial premises, and to give priority and incentives to commercial premises around the terminal transit.

City Hall also plans to form a centre for collection, distribution, marketing and showcasing cultural, arts and artifacts there.

This means that Kampung Baru, which has an area of 151.57ha comprising the MAS and non-MAS land, will be developed into a combination of residential, mixed use residential, mixed use commercial and city centre commercial area.

But Kampung Baru has long held sentimental value for the Malay community who in the past, have fended off developers eyeing the area, which is smack in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.

As such, City Hall expects strong opposition from Kampung Baru residents when it launches major development projects.

Mashuti Mat Soom, who is a member of the Kampung Baru Malay Agriculture Settlement Board, had said some landowners were not happy as the draft also mentioned about dissolving the board, which would affect the Malay reserve land title.

"If this is being gazetted, this area will be open to all and will not be a Malay reserve area any more.

"We've set up a committee to look into the plan and will call citizens aged 60 and above to participate in the discussion of the draft," he said.

No exemption for those two hills
Noel Achariam


http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Friday/Stories/2241450/insidepix1
Eager to know the future of their city; members of the public lining up at City Hall to buy the draft plan at RM120 a copy.

KUALA LUMPUR: The two controversial areas, which residents have been fighting to keep as green lungs, are earmarked for development under the 2020 Kuala Lumpur City Hall draft plan.

In the draft plan, which was made available to the public yesterday, houses and bungalows will be built on Federal Hill and Bukit Gasing despite the residents having gone to the extent of getting court injunctions to stop such developments.

Bukit Gasing has been marked as "residential area one" with not more than four people per part while Federal Hill, including the Jalan Travers police station, has been classified as commercial area.

The public can voice their objections to the draft plan on or before June 30 by filling up the PA 1 form, which can be obtained from the City Hall website or City Hall office.


Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ab Hakim Borhan said: "I would like to invite all the citizens of KL to join us and give their views on how we can improve the draft plan that will benefit us and create a world class city by 2020."

Hakim said City Hall has finally succeeded in formulating its first local draft plan after 20 years of planning.

"With this plan, the development process in Kuala Lumpur can now be carried out according to plan," he added.

"The public will now have an idea of how City Hall will be utilising 120,000 plots in the city.

"In the draft, we identified the areas that need to be developed and help modernise small businesses in the city.

"The draft will also be used as a guideline by foreign investors who are interested in investing in Kuala Lumpur."

He added that transportation in the city will be upgraded with plans to increase the area of coverage by trains from 10 per cent to 61 per cent.

"We plan to integrate the rails with the whole of the Klang Valley and we will also be including a number of lots to be developed into community centres, parks and schools," he said.

City Hall said in a press statement with the availability of the plan, it will no longer need to scrutinise all planning applications; and this in turn will help to elevate City Hall's service delivery.

The statement also said Kuala Lumpur will be marketed on an international level with a strategic direction lined out in the draft plan to attract foreign investors to Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall under siege


Three demonstrations against the local authority in a day.

Demo One
By CHRISTINA LOW

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan was thrown into a lion’s den yesterday when he was being driven into the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) complex.

Greeting him at the entrance was a group of opposition MPs accompanying 200 traders who were staging a peaceful protest against the DBKL for allegedly being high-handed in dealing with them.

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War of words: Gobalakrishnan (left) trying to grab Saravanan's attention while Zuraida (second from left) and Wee look on.

The traders were there to submit a memorandum to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan but when they saw Saravanan being driven into the DBKL complex, they stopped and surrounded his car and demanded that he talk to them.

A fierce war of words then broke out between the deputy minister and Pakatan Rakyat MPs – Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), Tan Kok Wai (Cheras), Fong Kui Kun (Bukit Bintang), Lim Lip Eng (Segambut), Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kepong), Loh Gwo Burne (Kelana Jaya) and Zuraida Kamarudin (Ampang).

Saravanan was confronted by Wee who demanded that he tell the traders what he would do to resolve their problems. This resulted in a shouting match, with the other MPs joining in challenging the deputy minister to state his stand on the issue.

Saravanan had to keep pleading to the crowd to allow him time to resolve their problems.

The traders had claimed that DBKL officers from its planning department had demolished their stalls on May 21 even after DBKL director-general Datuk Salleh Yusup had promised Wee a day earlier that the demolishing work would be put on hold for two weeks pending further discussion.

On May 21, the DBKL demolished 130 stalls in eight locations in Taman Desa Setapak.

The traders said they had told the enforcement officer in charge that morning of the 14-day grace period but the officer was said to be arrogant and ignored their request.

They said the officer also refused to give them time to remove their fans, fluorescent lights and signboards.

“When they came with huge excavators, lorries with DBKL officers, FRU and police to demolish, they gave us only 10 minutes to leave the area,” one trader said.

“We do not even have time to negotiate or talk to them,” said the trader who had been operating his business there for nearly 20 years.

After Wee contacted Salleh and the mayor’s special assistant Shaari Ahmad, the remaining stalls were given a reprieve.

The eight food court centres that were demolished were said to be trading on government land and had no approval from the DBKL to trade.

According to Saravanan, the DBKL has received complaints that the food court was the cause of major road congestions in the area and that traders did not keep the area clean.

Saravanan said the vacant land would now be used to build Rukun Tetangga and police beat bases as well as preserving it as a green lung.

Demo Two
By FAZLEENA AZIZ

THE Kampung Baru Weekend Market Traders and Welfare Association is against the move by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to demolish part of the market in Jalan Raja Muda Musa to make way for a development project.

DBKL issued a notice to 32 traders operating at the site on May 8 under the Essential Regulations (Squatter Eradication) 1969 stating that they should vacate the site on or before May 22 as they were squatting at the place.

The weekend market is said to be a popular spot among tourists, locals as well as for the Nasi Lemak Antarabangsa stall.

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No go: Kampung Baru Weekend Market Traders and Welfare Association traders holding a picket against City Hall’s plan to demolish the market.

The association's president, Dr Hosni Hussen Md Saat, said it was not proper for DBKL to label them as squatters.

“This is a place of business, it is not a squatter area.

“Most of us have been doing business here for many years and it is not fair for DBKL to come and do such a thing.

“Based on our findings, the land, which the area encompasses is under the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS) and does not belong to DBKL.

“It is government land, managed by the government, when did it become a squatter area,” asked Hosni.

“DBKL was also selective in sending out the notices. We are finding contradicting facts to the whole matter.

“We are not against any development but for them to evade us and classifying us as squatters is not justified.

“DBKL should have brought us in and discussed with us on the development before going ahead with their plan. There has to be a win-win situation for both parties.

“So far they are only offering Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) as compensation to those, who live here while the traders were offered temporary relocation to Jalan Raja Mahadi, Jalan Raja Muda Aziz and Jalan Hashim.

Hosni said there were over 200 shops in the area, which would be affected by the development.

Nadzri Abdul Hamid, who is the association deputy president, asked if DBKL was sincere with their intention.

“If they want to develop this place then the development should include us not exclude us.

“When we can have places like Little India and Chinatown, why cannot we have a Malay town right here?,” asked Nadzri.

About 30 traders gathered in front of the market stating their protest with the hope that some light will be shed over their problem.

Demo Three
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ

ABOUT 30 residents from Kampung Abdullah Hukum in Kuala Lumpur marched to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) complex yesterday morning to submit a memorandum demanding that the loacl auhtority fulfil its promise of providing them units at an apartment project.

The residents, accompanied by Ampang MP Zuraida Kamarudin and Wanga Maju MP Wee Choo Keong, had gathered at Dataran Merderka at about 10am to air their grievances.

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Hear us out: Residents of Kg Abdullah Hukum holding up banners Friday.

They represent about 130 households who are in a dilemma over uncertainty of the status of their promised homes at the Apartment Abdullah Hukum.

These residents, who are now renting houses while waiting for their housing units, were supposed to have shifted to the new apartments a year ago.

Last year, the long-time residents of Kampung Abdullah Hukum were asked to move out to make way for the Eco City project by Pelita Dunia Sdn Bhd.

The project includes luxury homes, a commercial centre and a 70-storey tower.

According to Roslan Mat, DBKL has earlier promised that all residents affected by the project will be given a unit each at the Apartment Abdullah Hukum.

The cost of the promised unit was RM51,000. The residents were also promised a compensation of RM6,000 each.

Roslan said all affected residents were moved to the new home stage by stage.

“There are five stages of shifting. All have been moved but shifting for the stage three residents are still pending. The DBKL also have not shown the list of people who are going to be shifted.

“We want to know why is it still pending?” Roslan said.

Roslan, who has been staying in the kampung for 47 years, said the cost of RM51,000 for an apartment unit measuring less than 198 sq meters was too expensive.

“They should give us the homes for free because according to a source from the DBKL town planning department, we were told that the land cost was between RM350 and RM500 per sq feet,” he said.

Roslan also said under the DBKL open housing system (Sistem Perumahan Terbuka), the apartments units were also given to those not from Kampung Abdullah Hukum.

“There are those from outside the kampung and also certain people who got more than one unit. How is that possible?” Roslan said.

Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan's personal assistant Shaari Ahmad Junid accepted the memorandum from the residents.

The demolition of the food centres in Desa Setapak is very appropriate.This area have long been a pain in the ass.It is the cause of congestion, cleanliness and pollution in Wangsa Maju.Desa Setapak is the most unpopular place in Setapak area in my opinion. All this opposition MPs knows only how to participate in demostrations but not doing what MPs is suppose to be doing.I know they want to show that they are at the ppl side but they should do what we ppl vote them to do. Able to discuss as an equal and as a representativ with current gov officials not doing demonstration on the streets.:ohno:

I also agree. I know those food courts near wangsa maju LRT, a mess and smelly. But this is also DBKL's fault for not enforcing the law, and those foodcourt are just several hundred meters from Wangsa Maju police HQ.:ohno:

These are all problem created by DBKL in the first place!!!Where was the enforcement team before it got out of control?Everyone knows the real reason???Why was there never a proper food court when they know there is a need for it?Instead they build 2underused food courts in the same area only not where its supposed to be!!Wake uplah DBKL!

Flaws in City Plan?
By BAVANI M


Will Kuala Lumpur be sustainable by 2020? Any local plan prepared must be consistent with the National Physical Plan, in addition to it being consistent with the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020. However, consultants hired by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.


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David Mizan: ‘There are many errors, some incomplete information and elements which contradicted existing development conditions.’

Imagine a tiny fish bowl squirming with hundreds of little fishes, each fighting for its own space to move freely and in harmony.

KLites may just find themselves living in similar conditions in 12 years, if proposals set out in the Draft City Plan is correct.

Figures contained in the Draft City Plan shows major discrepancies prompting the question – could the planners hired by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) have erred when drafting the plan? And if so was it done deliberately?

Architect David Mizan Hashim pointed out in a letter to StarMetro recently that the plan was not perfect.

He said there were many errors, some incomplete information and elements which contradicted existing development conditions.”

“By envisioning a population increase from 1.6 million today to 2.2 million by 2020 within the same physical area, it will be forced to make many controversial compromises.”

Indeed David Mizan has hit the nail on the head with that statement.

The plan has made the assumption that Kuala Lumpur’s population of 1.6 million is expected to grow to 2.2 million by 2020.

The draft goes on to justify that the only way to accommodate another 600,000 people in the city by 2020 is to increase density and that will be to intensify development.

“The draft local plan of KL is fundamentally flawed,” said local government expert and environmental lawyer Derek Fernandez.

“The fundamental flaw of the plan is that it is being prepared on the basis that it has to cater for an additional 600,000 people in the Federal Territory by 2020,” said Fernandez.

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Legally binding blueprint: The NPP provides that the density of KL is to be reduced to the minimum sustainable figure of 25 people per hectare.

This, according to Fernandez, is in contrast with the policies in the National Physical Plan (NPP) which is legally binding on the Federal Territory which provides sufficient land to cater for a total population growth of 8.5 million in Kuala Lumpur, Klang Valley and Seremban combined.

In case you’re not familiar, the NPP is the legally binding blueprint for sustainable development under the Federal Territory Planning Act.

Furthermore, the NPP provides that the density of KL is to be reduced to the minimum sustainable figure of 25 people per hectare.

In fact, the NPP identifies that the gross density of KL is higher than 25, nevertheless makes it mandatory that 25 figure is applicable to KL.

On the contrary, the KL plan attempts to increase the density to ridiculous figures.

The plan identifies areas that are expected to increase in population with the highest being in Bukit Jalil-Seputeh followed by the city centre and Sentul Menjalara Strategic Zones.

The report goes on to say that the increase will require more than 150,000 homes in the next 12 years.

The plan is clearly not following the development strategies stated in the NPP and instead of decreasing density; it is in fact increasing it.

It would seem that the City Plan is in direct conflict with the national planning policies.

While paying lip service to the NPP by referring to it in Volume 1, fails to grasp and apply the essence of its principles on sustainable development in KL.


Tan: ‘KL must go through a major rejuvenation’
That is the reduction of densities to 25 people per hectare, increase in public open space to 2ha per 1,000 people, and spreading out the development and population density equally along the Klang Valley, Seremban and KL conurbation.

Increases in densities beyond the sustainable limits have already been exceeded. In KL, some believe this is the source of problem of poor quality of life, traffic jams, flooding, loss of green areas, lack of space, pollution, congestion and even unemployment.

One indicator of non-sustainable development is the amount of public recreation space available. Everyone requires open space and the criterion set in the NPP is 20 sq metres per person.

Not only does the local plan violates this, it arbitrarily imposes a 11sq metre per person by 2020, and even has the audacity to suggest 23% of this has got to be made up of private open spaces because there is not enough public land.

In the same note, public land in Bukit Gasing and Federal Hill is open for development – thereby increasing density here.

The total area in KL is 242sq km and the present population in KL is 1.62mil. Therefore the average density is already 68 people per hectare, which exceeds the required 25 per hectare.

“If this fundamental flaw is not remedied by cancelling all increase in plot ratio and density, and in fact taking back land to meet minimum sustainability requirements, KL will be doomed and we can expect loss of quality of life and anger among its population,” Fernandez said.

People should come forward and demand that average density for the whole of FT as 25 per hectare and that standard policies be complied to safeguard their future.

But despite the plan’s imperfections, David Mizan is confident that if the city is able to provide easy accessibility, enough open space, and maintain adequate green areas KL will be able to sustain a large population.

“If all these basic necessities are provided for, and if everything is done properly why not” he said.

Real Estate and Housing Developer’s Association’s (Rehda) KL branch secretary Tan Ching Meng agrees with David Mizan on that point and believes that sustainable development is the only way out to maintain the environment.

“KL must go thorough a major rejuvenation and in order to do that old businesses such as factories, industries and old buildings need to be relocated out,” said Tan.

“Once you do this than the city can accommodate more people and it would seem that the local plan is striving to do this under the Brown field development programme,” he said, adding despite its flaws the local plan has some good things to offer.

MPs decry lack of green lungs in KL
Noel Achariam

KUALA LUMPUR: Only 91ha of the 24,221.05ha in Kuala Lumpur have been earmarked for forest reserves under the draft Kuala Lumpur 2020 City Plan to be maintained as forest reserves.

The three areas currently gazetted as forest reserves are Bukit Nenas, Bukit Sungei Air Puteh and Bukit Sungei Besi, covering only 0.25 per cent, or 61ha, of Kuala Lumpur.

Members of parliament in Kuala Lumpur, however, are not happy with that allocation.

The majority of them have one thing in common: they want more allocation for forest reserve in the city.


Many of them have yet to read through the two-volume draft released to the public on Thursday, but they are steadfast in wanting to see more land to be gazetted as "green lung" areas.

Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong came out strongly for more green lung areas.

He said Wangsa Maju, especially, needs more green lungs, playgrounds and sports facilities for the children and citizens there.

"I have looked at the plan and there is nothing to shout about.

"From the draft plan, I conclude that there are more plans for 'concrete jungles' than green lung areas in Kuala Lumpur.

"In other big cities like London, New York, Tokyo and Singapore, the local governments zealously guard their green lungs."

He stressed that the Wanga Maju area needed more parks and forest reserves, instead of plans for more housing development.

"We already have enough housing development here.

"I am certain that if we carry on building more houses here, the population will increase and the present infrastructure may not be able to cope with this increase.

"If this draft plan is approved as it is, then I am certain this will cause more traffic jams and an increase in the crime rate."

Wee also said the draft plan should have included public amenities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, badminton, squash and basketball courts, libraries and community halls in Wangsa Maju.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, said that he would be calling for a meeting with various groups next week to discuss the KL City Plan with special emphasis on the Cheras community.

"I will be inviting community leaders, officials from non-governmental organisations and representatives from residents' associations to discuss all aspects of the planning strategies. This will include upgrading work, preservation of the green lung areas, the environmental impact, infrastructure works and the road network in the area."

He said a major concern was the lack of Chinese schools in Cheras.

"There is a shortage of schools in the area. Eighty-four per cent of the residents here are Chinese and we hope more Chinese schools would be included in the plan."

He was, however, satisfied with City Hall's decision to have an open hearing on grouses and suggestions on the draft plan.

"But the problem is those who are sitting on the hearing committee are City Hall officials.

"They are the planners and they are also the implementers. They can be biased."

Tan suggested that the hearing should be chaired by people from professional bodies, community leaders, environmental organisations or urban planners.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said that there are too many high-rise buildings in the Bukit Bintang area.

"We are in desperate need of more parks in the city.

"Currently, we are surrounded by an abundance of commercial buildings in the city centre."

He said he would be having a meeting with engineers and urban planners soon to discuss the draft KL City Plan and to see how Kuala Lumpur can be turned into a more "liveable city".

Room for improvement in City Plan

KUALA LUMPUR: It is a master plan to develop Kuala Lumpur for the next 12 years.

It has to be done correctly and according to the satisfaction of all quarters. Objections, suggestions and amendments to the Draft Kuala Lumpur 2020 City Plan, unveiled on Thursday, will have to be made before June 30.

The plan is an important reference for KL-lites as to what's planned for the city and how it could affect their lives. It is the first in 20 years and took almost two years to prepare. It is published in two volumes. Volume two comes in two parts.

Volume one of the draft, which has 10 chapters, contains information on the Kuala Lumpur City Vision, Kuala Lumpur in 2020, a dynamic world-class business city, sustainable land use, connectivity and accessibility for the city, city living environment, protecting and enhancing the environment, enhancing green network and blue corridor, distinctive city image and identity and green infrastructure.


Volume two (Part One and Two) focuses on the layout, land use zoning, development intensity, environmental protection plan, heritage zone, height control zone and transit planning.

There are also 320 maps of areas, marking the proposed development plans.

Streets went through volumes one and two and found that the integral information is the zoning system.

While the areas are being zoned in detail according to the land use, there is still room for improvement.

For instance, Bukit Gasing and Federal Hill are listed under the Environmental Protection Zone, which means any development in these areas are to be carried out sensitively in accordance with the guidelines specified for development in such landscape.

In the same section, it states that the three forest reserves are Bukit Nanas, Bukit Sungai Besi and Bukit Sungai Air Puteh, which automatically excludes Bukit Gasing and Federal Hill, which have witnessed a long battle between residents in the proximity and City Hall.

Bukit Gasing has been listed in the hill land and hillside categories, while Federal Hill is placed under the hillside category.

While hill land only allows eco-tourism and low-impact recreational activities, areas covered under hillslide categories are subject to urban development, which includes residential, commercial, institutional, educational and industrial.

The layout plan indicates Bukit Gasing as a combination of public open space, residential 1 (four to 40 persons per acre), cemetery, public facilities, infrastructure and utilities.

Surprisingly, while some zones have listed the areas covered under their specific characters of land use, there were other zones that do not.

For example, while residential 3 (160 to 400 persons per acre) had listed Pantai Dalam, Chan Sow Lin, Kampong Baru Salak Selatan, Rumah Murah Bandar Tun Razak and Razak Mansion, the list for residential 1 and 2 (48 to 120 persons per acre) was not available.

Flaws in City Plan?
By BAVANI M


W“By envisioning a population increase from 1.6 million today to 2.2 million by 2020 within the same physical area, it will be forced to make many controversial compromises.”

Indeed David Mizan has hit the nail on the head with that statement.

The plan has made the assumption that Kuala Lumpur’s population of 1.6 million is expected to grow to 2.2 million by 2020.

The draft goes on to justify that the only way to accommodate another 600,000 people in the city by 2020 is to increase density and that will be to intensify development.

“The draft local plan of KL is fundamentally flawed,” said local government expert and environmental lawyer Derek Fernandez.

“The fundamental flaw of the plan is that it is being prepared on the basis that it has to cater for an additional 600,000 people in the Federal Territory by 2020,” said Fernandez.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/26/central/p2book.jpg
Legally binding blueprint: The NPP provides that the density of KL is to be reduced to the minimum sustainable figure of 25 people per hectare.

This, according to Fernandez, is in contrast with the policies in the National Physical Plan (NPP) which is legally binding on the Federal Territory which provides sufficient land to cater for a total population growth of 8.5 million in Kuala Lumpur, Klang Valley and Seremban combined.

In case you’re not familiar, the NPP is the legally binding blueprint for sustainable development under the Federal Territory Planning Act.

Furthermore, the NPP provides that the density of KL is to be reduced to the minimum sustainable figure of 25 people per hectare.

In fact, the NPP identifies that the gross density of KL is higher than 25, nevertheless makes it mandatory that 25 figure is applicable to KL.

On the contrary, the KL plan attempts to increase the density to ridiculous figures.

The plan identifies areas that are expected to increase in population with the highest being in Bukit Jalil-Seputeh followed by the city centre and Sentul Menjalara Strategic Zones.

The report goes on to say that the increase will require more than 150,000 homes in the next 12 years.

The plan is clearly not following the development strategies stated in the NPP and instead of decreasing density; it is in fact increasing it.

It would seem that the City Plan is in direct conflict with the national planning policies.

While paying lip service to the NPP by referring to it in Volume 1, fails to grasp and apply the essence of its principles on sustainable development in KL.


Tan: ‘KL must go through a major rejuvenation’
That is the reduction of densities to 25 people per hectare, increase in public open space to 2ha per 1,000 people, and spreading out the development and population density equally along the Klang Valley, Seremban and KL conurbation.

Increases in densities beyond the sustainable limits have already been exceeded. In KL, some believe this is the source of problem of poor quality of life, traffic jams, flooding, loss of green areas, lack of space, pollution, congestion and even unemployment.

One indicator of non-sustainable development is the amount of public recreation space available. Everyone requires open space and the criterion set in the NPP is 20 sq metres per person..This is a good example of one of the fundamental paradoxes in urban planning...if you want to provide good services and keep taxes low, you have to increase density. Increased density lowers the amount of money that has to be spent by the government to provide decent infrastructure and services.

On the other hand, high density reduces quality of life and can have significant social costs...so there has to be a balance between level of density and infrastructure.

Spreading out the development is unwise if the spread out areas are of lower density and they do not have the proper transport infrastructure or other required services.

Cheers, m

to overcome with lack of green lungs in the city, they can just put gardens on top of flat top buildings or plant the city with trees that has bigger leaves because small leaves produce less oxygen than bigger leaves not to mention the shade it will provide us.

p.s i have an out of this world proposal. why dont forbid any cars into the city centre. build huge parking garages to allow people to park at the edge of the city to become transit stations. people from the parking garages would take public transport to move around the city or use bicycles. this can allow all roads to be parks. however, the some part roads must be tiled with bricks or any material that wont trap heat because we still need roads for ambulance, police vehicles and fire engines to move around the city. but all their vehicles must be hybrid or use eco-friendly fuel.

^^

Banning private cars will not solve anything, because our public transport system still got many loopholes and existing capacity of our public transport is small...

Also, there will always got people driving cars to the city centre, especially to malls because for a family, driving a car to a mall is more feasible, because they can store their purchases (large ones) compared to a family travelling together in bus or train....

If this suggestion is implemented, I think the city centre will suffer commercially, especially the shopping centres...

Maybe improve public transport first, then if it is good, then ERP can be implemented, but banning private vehicles in city centre will not solve anything...

I think we can cycle in KL but I you'll have to worry about Malaysian drivers hitting you.:nuts:.But frankly, cycling in Malaysia is unpleasant, I currently cycle to uni in Adelaide but the weather here's dry so I dun even sweat cycling for 15 minutes, I cycled to my secondary school which is just 5 minutes and when I was standard 5 cycled to Sekolah Agama about 15 minutes away and damn..I sweat like a pig and smell bad under the Malaysian sun cycling. Motorcycles overcome this coz u dun do much physical work and cut travel time(less time to sweat:lol:).

Do u guys know that Jakarta have closed a major road in central Jakarta during certain Sundays, so that pedestrians and Jakartans could use the road for recreational activities such as cycling...i red about this in the Jakarta Post and was impressed by this idea. Another reason for closing the road is to encourage people to travel via bus and reduce pollution.:) Malaysian roads in KL are lined with tress and are like broad boulevards if empty :banana:.

Residents' associations unite against KL draft plan
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ


KUALA LUMPUR: Various residents' associations in Kuala Lumpur have formed a coalition to voice out their disagreement over the Draft City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020).

The Coalition To Save Kuala Lumpur, formed on Monday, will meet next week to form a working committee and to focus on various issues arising from KLCP2020.

The coalition will be headed by Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, also president of the Bukit Damansara House Owners’ Association Kuala Lumpur.

He said certain residents’ associations were called and consulted over KLCP2020 before it was tabled, but claimed this did not constitute a consultation exercise. “We did not receive any feedback or record of what was said then, and now the draft plan is thrown at us.

“The plan is flawed ... but we can only fight against it with the support of all residents' associations in Kuala Lumpur,” said Abdul Aziz, urging all such associations to get in touch with the coalition to collect signatures for a petition.

Environmental lawyer Derek Fernandez, legal advisor to the coalition, said it will take after the All-PJ Pro Action Committee that was fundamental in tackling issues raised over the PJ Local Plan draft. “A coalition like this will bring the people together to fight for a common objective, and that will be more effective as we can fight it at both macro and micro levels,” he said. The petition will request for more time for residents to review the plan and for Kuala Lumpur City Hall to provide more details.

Cheras folks debate on KL City draft plan
By YIP YOKE TENG


CHERAS folks became the first group to have a discussion on the Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020.

Representatives of 40 residents and petty traders associations attended the discussion organised by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai on Friday evening at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

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All ears: Tan (standing) addressing the representatives of 40 residents and petty traders associations from Cheras during the discussion.

Town planning and transportation management expert Goh Bok Yen gave guidelines on how to analyse the draft plan since most of the attendees had not bought the hardcopies yet.

After the briefing, attendees were rather upset that even though the draft plan was set out to create a safe city for KL folks, it had not lined out the strategies to achieve so.

“An unsafe city is unfit to be called a world-class city. Not a single person here is satisfied with the security in his or her neighbourhood. Crime is rampant, we have only 12 years to 2020, is the government capable of fixing this problem within this period?” Tan asked.

He said while the draft plan seemed to be painting a perfect picture of the future Kuala Lumpur, issues such as potholes, basic infrastructure and public transportations that remained unsolved were making city folks sceptical.

Attendees also expressed mixed feelings towards the draft plan's proposal for the Bandar Tun Razak – Sungai Besi Strategic Zone to be largely residential as there would not be much push for commercial development.

“The draft plan only states that Cheras is to have street malls and sidewalk retails focusing on education, medicine and sports. Even today, Cheras only has Giant, Tesco and Leisure Mall that are not large-scale commercial centres,” said Goh.

The draft plan also indicates that Chan Sow Lin area would be further developed as an industrial zone dominated by automotive-related showrooms.

However, Goh highlighted that this would encounter hindrance unless rectified as many owners in the area hold short-term land titles.

He pointed out that the strategic zone was planned to have 97,000 residential units, compared to 29,000 currently.

With that, accessibility and connectivity are to be addressed with the 12 new rail lines, four of which cover some parts of Cheras, as well as congestion levy.

Goh, however, expressed reservation that the new rail lines could be completed in time judging from the current progress of public transportation development.

Tan advised attendees to scrutinise the land use zoning and development intensity proposed for the areas of their concern, and bring their queries up in subsequent discussion sessions.

He plans to hold the next session early July.

“This is a preliminary session for the residents. The draft plan is very technical and even the experts need time to digest it. City Hall should hold roadshows at various places around Kuala Lumpur to educate the residents on how to read the plan.

Town planner has doubts on draft plan's feasibility



KUALA LUMPUR: A town planner has expressed his scepticism that the goals in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 are achievable by 2020.

Goh Bok Yen said while it was good to see City Hall addressing critical areas such as public transportation, he doubted it could be implemented in 12 years' time.

"The rail system was mapped comprehensively in the plan but I don't think it will happen by 2020."

Goh said a complete rail system would need at least one-and-a-half years to design and another three years to implement.


He said public transportation was important to ease mobility in and out of the city.

"If you don't improve public transport, mobility in the city will be very difficult and that would make it harder to achieve other objectives."

Goh was speaking after explaining the draft plan to representatives of 40 associations in Cheras at the Chinese Assembly Hall on Saturday.

The forum was organised by Cheras Member of Parliament Tan Kok Wai to provide a clearer picture of the changes that would happen around the suburb.

In the draft plan, 11 new and extended rapid transit lines were proposed that would increase the transit corridor to 52 per cent.

Currently, only 10 per cent of Kuala Lumpur is served directly or within the catchments of existing transit stations and 20 per cent are within the transit corridor.

The new lines would add an additional 131.21km to the rail system from the current 102.4km, with 119 new stations.

Meanwhile, Tan said the draft plan had several weaknesses, such as security.

"I have yet to go through every page of the book but I doubt the draft city plan addressed the security issues."

He said the draft plan, which comes in four volumes, were too expensive and technical.

He said a few went to City Hall only to come back without purchasing the book after seeing the display of the plan.

"They said they could not understand a thing at the exhibition, so why bother buying the books at such a high price."

Tan suggested that City Hall provide free copies for associations to go through and relay the information to its members.

"Now that the deadline has been extended, City Hall should have roadshows so that local communities can get to understand the draft plan."

He also suggested that City Hall publish the draft plan in other languages such as Mandarin and Tamil.

Tan said unlike the Petaling Jaya draft plan, once the Kuala Lumpur plan was gazetted there would not be any public hearing for the affected communities.

Hmmmmm, why we always read only the Federal Hill and Bukit Bandaraya folks that against the development in their area but not their counterparts in KL. Sound like sour grapes to me. But to me this Structure Plan to make KL a world class city will not achieve if our DBKL and residents of KL adopt a third class mentality.Lack of action and full of planning but maybe I am too pessimist.

DBKL refutes claims of development anarchy


OVER the years, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has been under fire for allegedly destroying green lungs and causing development anarchy in Kuala Lumpur.

DBKL town planning director Mahadi Che Ngah, however, has refuted the allegations, saying that many people do not know or understand the real situation.

Mahadi assured KL residents that all projects approved by the DBKL had been assessed carefully in accordance with the existing rules and regulations.

“There is often a negative perception towards the DBKL over this issue of development projects because the people are not aware of the land use,” he said.

According to Mahadi, the “in-fill” development approach adopted in many parts of Kuala Lumpur was one of the reasons behind the public misconception towards the DBKL.

“In KL, all developments are sandwiched within existing developed areas. These developments are usually carried out in the last phase of the project due to physical constraints such as hill slopes and mining ponds,” he said.

“However, residents who are not aware of this think that developments are encroaching into the green areas they have been enjoying for years. This draws flak as the buildings are erected right in front of their houses,” Mahadi said.

“What they fail to know is that this place has been earmarked a long time ago for future development,” he said.

Asked about the much-criticised development proposed for Federal Hill, Mahadi said that land concerned was not classified under Federal Hill, but under Jalan Travers that had been earmarked for commercial development way back in the 1980s.

He said the DBKL had to go through comprehensive procedures when processing a development application.

According to Mahadi, some of the major laws governing project approvals are the National Land Code, the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, the Building By-laws (Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur) 1985, the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 and the Planning (Development) Procedure.

He said that apart from those laws, the department had to refer to many regulations and requirements under the current development plans and policies, including the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 and the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 to be gazetted by end of this year.

On top of that, Mahadi said the department would also assess the safety aspects, accessibility, landscaping and infrastructure of the area alongside architecture, aesthetic and suitability of the buildings.

Mahadi said that cabinet directives, residents’ views, reports from technical agencies and professional bodies, as well as input from all relevant DBKL departments will also be taken into consideration before a project was approved.

“We have to be very careful. If we are not, developers can come back to us for inaccurately approving the projects and the DBKL will have to compensate them. Yet, we cannot simply reject any project proposal,” he said.

“If people want to challenge us, we are more than happy to face their allegations,” Mahadi said, citing the court case filed by the Bukit Gasing residents had.

Mahadi said that other departments were also involved in the whole process of approving a project.

He said that when a development order was issued, the developer should had to submit his building plan and earthwork plan to be assessed and monitored by the DBKL’s other departments, such as the architect department and public works department.

Mahadi said that when developers and contractors ignored or violated the DBKL requirements, the DBKL was blamed.

Alliance on KL draft plan formed
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ


AN ALLIANCE of various residents association in Kuala Lumpur has been formed to represent the residents to present their views and objections on the KL Draft City.

The Coalition To Save Kuala Lumpur, which was formed in a meeting attended by various residents association representatives on Monday, will meet next week to study various issues arising from the draft plan and to appoint a working committee to deal with the issues.

Bukit Damansara House Owners Association Kuala Lumpur president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman is the head of the alliance.

According to Aziz, several officers of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) discussed with the residents associations about the plan before it was tabled but it was not exactly a consultation exercise.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/28/central/p7Derek.jpg
A thorough view: (From right) Aziz and Fernandez looking at the KL draft plan at the meeting.

“We did not receive any feedback or record of what was discussed when suddenly the draft plan is thrown at us,” he said.

“The plan is flawed as it does not conform to the law but we can only fight against it with the support of all residents association in Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Aziz urged all residents associations to join the coalition in its campaign to collect signatures for a petition on the draft plan.

Local government expert and environmental lawyer Derek Fernandez is the legal adviser of the coalition.

Fernandez said the KL coalition functioned similar to the All-PJ Pro Action Committee (APPAC) that was set up to tackle the issues raised over the PJ Local Draft Plan.

“A coalition like this will bring the people together to fight for a common cause. We will be more effective if we fight at both macro and micro levels,” he said.

According to Fernandez, the KL petition will request for more time for residents to study the plan and for the DBKL to provide more details.

The petition also demands for no increase in density and plot ratio and the decentralising of population in Kuala Lumpur, Seremban and other parts of the Klang Valley.

Resident associations wishing to join the coalition can e-mail thevi.thevi@gmail.com or call 012-221-2906.

Draft KL City Hall 2020 plan: Not good enough!
Noel Achariam

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirteen residents' associations from various districts in the city have unanimously said that the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Hall 2020 plan is flawed and need to be re-evaluated.

The 13 associations, together with the Joint Action Committee for Bukit Gasing, several private companies and representatives from the National House Buyers Association, met on Monday and have formed a committee called "Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur" to address the issues that are not to their satisfaction in the draft plan.

The first thing that the committee wants to do is to ask for an extension to the objection deadline.

The committee feels that the draft plan breached the National Physical Plan and the information provided in the draft plan is incomplete and fundamentally defective.


Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, who was elected to head the Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur, said that after listening to all the issues debated at the meeting, he believed that the committee had a long road ahead of them.

"I have been following the draft plan since it was made public and I belive that we have hit a snag where the density of the population is concerned. Now that we have the support of all the Residents Associations (RAs), we can start putting together our ideas. We already have the support of 13 RAs and now we need the support of the rest of the city folk."

He said he would call a special meeting in two weeks to elect a working committee and focus on issues of concern to the public. "We believe it will take at least a week to get all the presidents and their representatives together.

"After the committee is established we will be able to tackle the issues."

He added that his first priority as the committee's chairman was to look at the public's objection to the local draft plan.

First, he said they were going to ask City Hall for more time to study the plan. "It is impossible for us to study it and submit our objections within the period allocated by City Hall, which is by August 31," he said.

He added that all residents of Kuala Lumpur should be interested in the plan, as it affected everyone.

"The local plan determines the quality of life in the city. So it's important for the public to play their part as well. The principle of the matter is that we do not want the current density and plot ratio to be changed."

Local government and city planning expert, Derek Fernandez, who was invited to brief the RAs and their representatives, urged the presidents of the RAs to request for more time to study the plan.

"The RAs need at least six more months to study the plan as the time frame given by City Hall is inadequate," he said.

He explained that one of the flaws which contravened the National Physical Plan (NPP) was that the draft plan placed the density of people in Kuala Lumpur 12 years from now at 95 persons per hectare. "This is simply unacceptable. The National Physical Plan states that the density is 25 persons per hectare, but the present average in Kuala Lumpur is 68 persons per hectare which exceeds the requirements laid out in the NPP," he said.

He said that in the draft plan, City Hall was preparing to increase the population in Kuala Lumpur by 600,000 people by 2020.

"This will severely affect the infrastructure in the city, especially in the city centre," he said.

He added that if the authorities continued with the draft plan to increase the density and plot ratio, the quality of life in Kuala Lumpur would be severely affected.



Bangsar Baru Residents Association president Datuk George Joseph said that he welcomed the idea of a committee to oppose the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

"We feel strongly about the issues that are affecting our community and together with the cooperation of all the RAs in Kuala Lumpur, we will be able to change the draft plan to suit the needs of the people," he said.

The Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur is inviting all residents associations in Kuala Lumpur to join the coalition and get a chance to voice their objections and suggestions. For more details contact Thevi Sinnadurai at the secretariat at 012-2212906 or e-mail her at thevi@gmail.com.

KL reaches for the skies, approval granted for several new superstructures
Wednesday May 28, 2008
Stories by YIP YOKE TENG
TheStar

The skyline of Kuala Lumpur is to set change dramatically and significantly in the near future.

Several superstructures of over 50-storeys high will soon join the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower to dwarf other high-rise buildings in the city centre.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) town planning director Mahadi Che Ngah has confirmed that the DBKL had approved several superstructures comprising office blocks, hotels and serviced apartments.

According to Mahadi, a skyscraper soaring to about 60 storeys has been approved as an extension to the Petronas Twin Towers. It will be located next to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.



http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/28/central/p2Mahadi.jpg

Mahadi: DBKL has approved several superstructures.



The pricey plot near Suria KLCC will also be the site for the Four Seasons Centre Kuala Lumpur, with its tallest building standing at 70 storeys.

It is touted to be a mixed development comprising a Four Seasons hotel, serviced apartments, luxury condominiums and retail outlets.

KL Sentral is also expected to have a structure towering at about 60 storeys.

Another skyscraper to loom over Stadium Merdeka at about 40-storeys tall has also been approved in principle. It is learnt that this will be part of a privatisation project by the government.

Mahadi said two other projects with 30-storey structures were waiting for their development orders.

On talks that a 100-storey skyscraper would be erected near the Matrade centre, bordering Jalan Kuching and Jalan Duta, Mahadi said it was merely an enquiry.

He said no plan or application had been submitted on the so-called project and it was too early to say that Kuala Lumpur would have another building taller than the Twin Towers.

“High-rise projects in Kuala Lumpur have to abide by height guidelines.

“They cannot just follow the fancy of the landowners. These developers have been well informed of the policies in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020, draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 and other planning regulations,” he said.

“The height of the buildings is related to land value, the more expensive the land, the higher the buildings but we still need to look into other aspects like road systems and public transport,” Mahadi said.

According to Mahadi, commercial zones are categorised as city centre, district centre and neighbourhood centre, to control development intensity.

The city centre commercial zone has the highest range of permissible plot ratio of up to 1:10. Plot ratio refers to the ratio of land area and floor area.

Superstructures can only be allowed in the city centre commercial zone, which is largely around the KLCC area, as well as other areas designated for the purpose such as KL Sentral and Mid Valley.

“This means that if a developer wants to erect a very tall building in an area outside the city centre commercial zone, it has to make sure there is a large span of green in the surroundings,” Mahadi said.

He advised the public to study the draft KL City Plan 2020 carefully to check on the development intensity proposed for the different areas.

“Some plans have been committed decades ago and the DBKL will have to follow up on these commitments.

“If land owners and residents think that these plans are no longer feasible, or they will suffer losses if the plans proceed, now is the time for them to register their objections,” he said.

The Draft KL City Plan objective is to turn Kuala Lumpur into a world-class city by 2020.

The plan states that “to achieve the vision for a world-class city by 2020, Kuala Lumpur needs an optimum population that supports the city’s role as a leading centre of the new economy”.

Kuala Lumpur is positioned to have a population of 2.2 million, up from the 1.5 million now by 2020, with a population density of 13,805 people per sq km in the city centre, similar to the population density of the busiest areas in Tokyo.

According to town planners interviewed by StarMetro, this demography is inconsistent with the National Physical Plan that advocates sustainable living in the city.

In fact, the physical plan’s objective is to slightly decrease the gross urban density of 29 people per hectare (2,900 people per sq km) to 25 per hectare.

Area road pricing proposed for KL city
By : Azira Shaharuddin

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KUALA LUMPUR, WED:

Motorists may soon have to dig deeper into their wallets to enter and move within the Kuala Lumpur city centre. If what is proposed in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 is approved, motorists entering busy and usually congested roads will be charged a ‘user fee’ as part of an area road-pricing (ARP) scheme.

Under the scheme, motorists would have to pay varying prices during set operation periods each time they pass certain entry barriers.

The measure is designed to control traffic within the city and achieve a more efficient use of road space in a bid to alleviate congestion, reduce travel time and limit air pollution caused by vehicular emissions.

However, Kuala Lumpur City Hall Master Plan department director Zainab Mohd Ghazali said the road area pricing would only be implemented when all public transportation facilities are in place.

“When all the public transportation are ready and there is still traffic congestion, we will then implement the scheme,” she said, adding that the scheme would be the last resort to alleviate traffic congestion in the city centre.

Read more about it in tomorrow's Streets

Do u guys know that Jakarta have closed a major road in central Jakarta during certain Sundays, so that pedestrians and Jakartans could use the road for recreational activities such as cycling...i red about this in the Jakarta Post and was impressed by this idea. Another reason for closing the road is to encourage people to travel via bus and reduce pollution.:) Malaysian roads in KL are lined with tress and are like broad boulevards if empty :banana:.


Again I would like to point out what happened to the entire Bukit Bintang area when the authorities did close Jalan Bukit Bintang every weekend for 2 months in 2001. Remember?

This move killed Bintang Steps. So we are lucky that Bintang Walk survived.

This move have also affected many traders and retailers along the road. One of my friend's aunt is affected badly and she had to move to Berjaya Times Sq in 2003 because the closure left the retail scene with a bad scar that last for years.

Even Low Yat's BB Park was badly affected. :ohno:

This is a good example of one of the fundamental paradoxes in urban planning...if you want to provide good services and keep taxes low, you have to increase density. Increased density lowers the amount of money that has to be spent by the government to provide decent infrastructure and services.

On the other hand, high density reduces quality of life and can have significant social costs...so there has to be a balance between level of density and infrastructure.

Spreading out the development is unwise if the spread out areas are of lower density and they do not have the proper transport infrastructure or other required services.

Cheers, m

first thing is, i think the location of current Putrajaya/Cyberjaya/KLIA leads to what you said about spreading out areas with lower density. as we can see, after the launch of Putrajaya or even before the city had been planned, many developers open new housing projects in a very remote areas (Bukit Beruntung, Puchong, Kajang, Nilai or even Rawang)

peoples of these residences work in the city area or its closer suburbs of PJ, Damansara etc. and they go to work by car bcoz they don't have a ny better public transport to carry them out and worst thing is, building a public transport is definately not feasible for that low density areas. The numbers of cars owned by these peoples contribute to unsolved traffic condition in KL city center. As we can see even after many highways has been built, after RapidKL increase its network, after Komuter expend its destination, still the numbers of car flowing into KL city center never seem decreasing...

so, planning what DBKL calls as KL conurbation too early without considering the potential population of those areas leads to our traffic flaws, indirectly.

Hmmmmm, why we always read only the Federal Hill and Bukit Bandaraya folks that against the development in their area but not their counterparts in KL. Sound like sour grapes to me. But to me this Structure Plan to make KL a world class city will not achieve if our DBKL and residents of KL adopt a third class mentality.Lack of action and full of planning but maybe I am too pessimist.

very simple, it is bcoz these area occupied by Rich and Famous :okay:, they feel threathen bcoz their 'exclusiveness' in those 'green' areas has been jeopardised by DBKL and peoples richer than them (considering the price of the properties are way higher than theirs):)

for me, a broad green spaces without any 'environmental friendly' development is kinda 'waste'. developing in such areas cannot be called as 'sacrilege' bcoz the areas are not 'holy'.what i suggest is, to DBKL create a small area but many in numbers of green space within the city center. enough...

one more thing, we do have a good planning but in term of enforcement...we are very weak at that. first bcoz, we (government agencies) have no enough workforce to do such thing....it is easy to blame government bcoz we never see from 'inside' as a civil servant.

anyway i believe any government could be more effective if they just listen to 40% of people's voices....more than that, just ignore it! or else...semua kerja tak siap, why? sebab banyak orang, banyak cakap....

Again I would like to point out what happened to the entire Bukit Bintang area when the authorities did close Jalan Bukit Bintang every weekend for 2 months in 2001. Remember?

This move killed Bintang Steps. So we are lucky that Bintang Walk survived.

This move have also affected many traders and retailers along the road. One of my friend's aunt is affected badly and she had to move to Berjaya Times Sq in 2003 because the closure left the retail scene with a bad scar that last for years.

Even Low Yat's BB Park was badly affected. :ohno:that is a good point but that was back in 2001. Things are different now as there is the option of the monorail. Perhaps if the area were closed to all traffic except urban buses, that would allow more people to get into the area.

The Bintang Walk probably survived because it is an exciting and interesting place and it is quite open, while the Bintang Steps and BB Park are more closed in and shadowed and confusing...scary for people to walk around those areas at night.

With the right planning and right transport options, streets like Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan P. Ramlee could be closed to traffic and opened up for the people's enjoyment.

Cheers, m

first thing is, i think the location of current Putrajaya/Cyberjaya/KLIA leads to what you said about spreading out areas with lower density. as we can see, after the launch of Putrajaya or even before the city had been planned, many developers open new housing projects in a very remote areas (Bukit Beruntung, Puchong, Kajang, Nilai or even Rawang)

peoples of these residences work in the city area or its closer suburbs of PJ, Damansara etc. and they go to work by car bcoz they don't have a ny better public transport to carry them out and worst thing is, building a public transport is definately not feasible for that low density areas. The numbers of cars owned by these peoples contribute to unsolved traffic condition in KL city center. As we can see even after many highways has been built, after RapidKL increase its network, after Komuter expend its destination, still the numbers of car flowing into KL city center never seem decreasing...

so, planning what DBKL calls as KL conurbation too early without considering the potential population of those areas leads to our traffic flaws, indirectly.Yes, this is quite true...except when you say that "building a public transport is definitely not feasible for those low density areas"

A reliable public transport system (buses) is feasible anywhere. Of course, it is more likely to recover costs in a higher density area.

On the other hand, a mass transit system (LRT or monorail) is certainly not feasible in a low density area - hence my opposition to the LRT extension to Subang Jaya.

Another problem with the conurbation is the homogenization of the communities. Look at the older parts of PJ and Subang Jaya and Cheras. These areas have a healthy mix of commercial and residential uses. The communities would be very easy to live in if people would walk more often, and drive less.

On the other hand, looking at recent communities like USJ and Shah Alam, you can see that development is quite spread out and segregated. This forces you to rely on private transportation to get around.

The developments in the newest suburbs like Kota Kemuning, Ara Damansara, and Bukit Tinggi Klang are even more segregated. To get around in these communities, a car is an absolute necessity.

We know that the cost of oil is only going to increase. We know that Malaysia's oil is running out faster and faster. We cannot continue to plan communities based on the idea of cheap oil and cheap cars...that doesnt exist anymore.

Cheers, m

Yes, this is quite true...except when you say that "building a public transport is definitely not feasible for those low density areas"

A reliable public transport system (buses) is feasible anywhere. Of course, it is more likely to recover costs in a higher density area.

On the other hand, a mass transit system (LRT or monorail) is certainly not feasible in a low density area - hence my opposition to the LRT extension to Subang Jaya.

Another problem with the conurbation is the homogenization of the communities. Look at the older parts of PJ and Subang Jaya and Cheras. These areas have a healthy mix of commercial and residential uses. The communities would be very easy to live in if people would walk more often, and drive less.

On the other hand, looking at recent communities like USJ and Shah Alam, you can see that development is quite spread out and segregated. This forces you to rely on private transportation to get around.

The developments in the newest suburbs like Kota Kemuning, Ara Damansara, and Bukit Tinggi Klang are even more segregated. To get around in these communities, a car is an absolute necessity.

We know that the cost of oil is only going to increase. We know that Malaysia's oil is running out faster and faster. We cannot continue to plan communities based on the idea of cheap oil and cheap cars...that doesnt exist anymore.

Cheers, m

bus service looks and sounds good but imagine if you are living in such remote township while you are working at KL downtown, how many stops are there along that route? and haw many transit will you have to take to get into your destination? and most important thing, how long in hours will it takes?

we don't have a special lane for bus and even if you take bus, you still cannot escape the horrific morning and evening traffic jam. sure buses are all cheap to operate, cheap to ride...but think about either it is practical or not for such far and remote areas...

the need for mass rapid transport is high but the demand is small...we have no other option. every these township need at least one Komuter/LRT station.

that is a good point but that was back in 2001. Things are different now as there is the option of the monorail. Perhaps if the area were closed to all traffic except urban buses, that would allow more people to get into the area.



Only if SPNB decides to use 4 car monorail, that it would be a brezze to travel to Bukit Bintang area using monorail and urban buses, currently, with 2 car monorail, it is already packed in peak hours and most people that use the monorail do stop at Imbi or Bukit Bintang station, so expanding the car length is crucial, if we want to ban private vehicles to the city centre...

If SPNB seriously want to integrate monorail inside its existing two LRT line, they should talk with MRCB on how to integrate monorail to Stesen Sentral...a lot of tourists when they arrive at the monorail station, are wondering whether they are really arrived inside KL Sentral or not...

From that city plan, are they going to introduce BRT? This is because i saw this from their report,

http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/eis/?page_id=209


Transit Planning Zone (TPZ) refers to areas located within 400m of radius of a Transit Station – a Light Rail Transit (LRT), KTM Commuter, Monorail, or Bus Rapid Transit station.

Turning the lake garden into a city park
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ


KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) plans to expand the Taman Tasik Perdana into a city park by 2020.

This will mean that an additional 417.6ha surrounding the area will be landscaped with greenery and recreational spots.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/5/29/central/m_03boats.jpg
To be expanded: Taman Tasik Perdana will also cover private sector land.

The 417.6ha covers residential district, open space, recreational land, government offices, institutions and public amenities.

The expansion of the popular lake garden, now covering 74.3ha, will include the incorporation of Padang Merbok, Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman, Parliament, Kuala Lumpur Open University, Istana Selangor, Bird Park, Butterfly Park, Hibiscus Garden, Orchid Garden and the nearby government building and quarters.

According to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Abdul Hakim Borhan, the city park would also cover land owned by the private sector such as the Royal Selangor Club,Perdana Lake Club, Bank Negara Resource Centre and the Dayabumi building.

“The private sector will retain ownership of their land but any future development there would be controlled to ensure the green lung is maintained,” Hakim said during a meet-the-press session at the DBKL complex on Wednesday.

The city park proposal is also included in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020).

Hakim said the city park project would be implemented stage by stage by 2020.

He said the development would increase the ratio of open space to 9.5ha per 10,000 people to 11ha per 10,000.

“The city park will make Kuala Lumpur an environmentally friendly city as it will become a total living environment,” Hakim said.

On the other hand, a mass transit system (LRT or monorail) is certainly not feasible in a low density area - hence my opposition to the LRT extension to Subang Jaya.


i find it hard to believe subang jaya/USJ equates low density area.

can you explain the daily massive jam to subang jaya during rush hour? i would think no good public transport in subang jaya, or mass transit connections from subang jaya to KL. what say u?

Pay to drive in KL?
Azira Shaharuddin


http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2252448/insidepix1
KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists may soon have to dig deeper into their wallets to enter and move within the city centre.

If what is proposed in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 is approved, drivers entering busy and congested roads will be charged a user fee under an area road pricing (ARP) scheme.

Road users will have to pay varying prices during set operation periods once they have passed certain entry barriers.

The measure is designed to control traffic within the city and achieve more efficient use of road space in a bid to alleviate congestion, reduce travel time and limit air pollution caused by vehicular emissions.


Fourteen roads have been earmarked for the scheme and they include Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Ampang.

The draft plan states that, based on preliminary analysis of existing traffic conditions and future land use, the ARP scheme is expected to reduce private vehicle use by at least 15 per cent in the first year of its introduction.

By 2020, some 400,000 commuters in the city centre are expected to be affected by the move.

However, authorities plan to implement the scheme only after improvements are made on the level of service on designated roads and public transport systems.

Town planner and private traffic consultant Goh Bok Yen said the ARP was a good way to restrict traffic in the city centre, as shown by similar schemes in London and Singapore.

However, he said the authorities needed to ensure that the city has a good public transport system before implementing the scheme.

"If we don't have reliable, good, frequent and safe public transport, then it would have an adverse effect on the city's economy."

Public transport expert Prof Dr Abd Rahim Md Nor said the ARP was a good idea, but should only be implemented when the public transport infrastructure was at its best.

He said it was high time this kind of traffic restraining measures were used, especially with the current spiral in the price of fuel.

Only if SPNB decides to use 4 car monorail, that it would be a brezze to travel to Bukit Bintang area using monorail and urban buses, currently, with 2 car monorail, it is already packed in peak hours and most people that use the monorail do stop at Imbi or Bukit Bintang station, so expanding the car length is crucial, if we want to ban private vehicles to the city centre...

If SPNB seriously want to integrate monorail inside its existing two LRT line, they should talk with MRCB on how to integrate monorail to Stesen Sentral...a lot of tourists when they arrive at the monorail station, are wondering whether they are really arrived inside KL Sentral or not...

That is quite true. Im trying to find out more about KL Star Rail Sdn. Bhd. and Im going to try to arrange a meeting with Prasarana as soon as possible so I can understand what they are doing with the monorail.

I've written a few pages on the KL Monorail system and how it is really been neglected. Even Scomi isnt lobbying the government to get their Sutra monorail for use on the KL Monorail line. If Scomi has no faith in KL Monorail.......
From that city plan, are they going to introduce BRT? This is because i saw this from their report,

http://klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my/eis/?page_id=209 I believe that BRT is coming to KL. The old structural plan included a BRT line on the west side of the Federal Territory and it is quite possible that the "Kerinchi-Damansara-Mont Kiara-Selayang" line (the confusing looking one) will be a BRT line (or a variation on BRT).

We may see this soon. I have been told that one consulting company is already working on a BRT proposal.

I think that a "mixed BRT" would be a possible solution...buses with doors on both sides would allow stations to be built in the road median and on the roadside and also allow buses to run contra-flow in bus lanes.

Cheers, m

11 rail lines to ease traffic jam


http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2252449/insidepix1

KUALA LUMPUR: To further ease traffic congestion in the city centre, City Hall is proposing the addition of 11 new or extension rail lines to the Klang Valley transit network by 2020.

As comprehensively outlined in the Draft Kuala Lumpur Plan 2020, the lines are to serve areas not covered by the existing rail network.

They are also to link district centres, employment areas, high-density residential neighbourhoods and new development areas in the city's outskirts.

The new urban rail network will measure 233.61km and serve 184 stations, 119 of them new.


With the new lines, total rail coverage within the city's transit corridor will increase to 53, and link areas as far away as Bandar Tun Hussein Onn in Cheras to Damansara.

Currently, only 10 per cent of the city is directly served by the rail system or within the transit catchments of existing transit stations, while just 20 per cent of Kuala Lumpur is within the transit corridor (located within 400m on either side of a rail line).

The new lines are expected to influence land use and planning, as development is expected to be intensified along rail corridors and transform employment centres such as Kepong, Sri Hartamas and Damansara into transit nodes.

Once completed, 250,000 people are expected to travel by train to and from the city centre.

News of the plan has been warmly greeted by many, particularly commuters in the districts of Hulu Langat (Ampang), Petaling and Gombak.

Rumah Panjang Jinjang Utara Residents' Association chairman G. Yanaparagasam said he welcomed the rail extension since it would elleviate traffic congestion in Kepong.

"Traffic congestion has worsened here with the rise of new apartments and flats. The buses here are okay. But it is difficult for them to keep to their schedule because of the traffic jam, which is at its worst during peak hours."

Developers: KL Plan should be flexible

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP 2020) will stifle changing trends and dynamics of the city, affecting its economic sustainability.

That is the opinion of the Federal Territory branch of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association on the KLCP 2020 draft released earlier this month.

They felt the plan should be flexible to cater to population growth, migration patterns and changing consumer trends.

Rehda proposed for the plan to be reviewed periodically to ensure its relevance, a practise carried out every five years by other major cities in the world.


"We welcome the extension of the deadline to Aug 31 as we felt the initial objection period is too short, considering the plan will have significant impact on the long-term plan and sustainability of the city," said branch chairman Datuk Michael K.C. Yam.

"Given that Kuala Lumpur's population will grow to 2.2 million by 2020, there is tremendous pressure on housing needs and complementary services.

"Inadequate supply will lead to escalating property prices," particularly residential properties,"he said.

However, the members felt that the draft was a good initiative and provides transparency and clarity in the urban planning and systematic development, rejuvenation and regeneration of the city.

The branch will appoint two planning and architectural consultants to review and comment on the draft which, when finalised, will be presented to City Hall.

This was decided at the branch's annual general meeting yesterday which saw Yam elected as chairman replacing Teh Boon Ghee from IGB Corporation Berhad.

Datuk Lawrence Low, from CSRC Property Sdn Bhd, was elected deputy chairman.

i find it hard to believe subang jaya/USJ equates low density area.

can you explain the daily massive jam to subang jaya during rush hour? i would think no good public transport in subang jaya, or mass transit connections from subang jaya to KL. what say u?traffic jams are a function of bad planning, not density. If you equate everything by the number of cars on the roads, then Subang Jaya and USJ have very high density...in cars...along the roads.

I have been studying this situation extensively and I have learned the following reasons for the traffic jams in USJ and SJ:

1) KESAS-Jalan Kewajipan interchange blocks the movement of traffic around the "Summit"
2) 4 phase traffic lights and poor timing of traffic lights force traffic to idle and traffic backs up due to this problem
3) High traffic volume because of the low density of Subang Jaya and USJ
4) Not enough north-south link roads between Subang Jaya and USJ (there should be 4 or 5, not just the 2 existing ones)
5) Toll roads around Subang Jaya
5a) Traffic using Pers. Kewajipan to access Shah Alam via KESAS...avoiding the Batu Tiga toll plaza.
6) lack of committment to reliable frequent public transport service running in bus lanes.
7) Lack of committment to fast KTM Komuter service from Subang Jaya to KL

I hope this answers your questions :)

Cheers, m

11 rail lines to ease traffic jam


http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2252449/insidepix1

KUALA LUMPUR: To further ease traffic congestion in the city centre, City Hall is proposing the addition of 11 new or extension rail lines to the Klang Valley transit network by 2020.

As comprehensively outlined in the Draft Kuala Lumpur Plan 2020, the lines are to serve areas not covered by the existing rail network.

They are also to link district centres, employment areas, high-density residential neighbourhoods and new development areas in the city's outskirts.

The new urban rail network will measure 233.61km and serve 184 stations, 119 of them new.


With the new lines, total rail coverage within the city's transit corridor will increase to 53, and link areas as far away as Bandar Tun Hussein Onn in Cheras to Damansara.

Currently, only 10 per cent of the city is directly served by the rail system or within the transit catchments of existing transit stations, while just 20 per cent of Kuala Lumpur is within the transit corridor (located within 400m on either side of a rail line).

The new lines are expected to influence land use and planning, as development is expected to be intensified along rail corridors and transform employment centres such as Kepong, Sri Hartamas and Damansara into transit nodes.

Once completed, 250,000 people are expected to travel by train to and from the city centre.

News of the plan has been warmly greeted by many, particularly commuters in the districts of Hulu Langat (Ampang), Petaling and Gombak.

Rumah Panjang Jinjang Utara Residents' Association chairman G. Yanaparagasam said he welcomed the rail extension since it would elleviate traffic congestion in Kepong.

"Traffic congestion has worsened here with the rise of new apartments and flats. The buses here are okay. But it is difficult for them to keep to their schedule because of the traffic jam, which is at its worst during peak hours."Wow...this is pretty interesting news...I hope that they realize that it will require a lot of work to make these lines succeed.

Cheers, m

traffic jams are a function of bad planning, not density. If you equate everything by the number of cars on the roads, then Subang Jaya and USJ have very high density...in cars...along the roads.

I have been studying this situation extensively and I have learned the following reasons for the traffic jams in USJ and SJ:

1) KESAS-Jalan Kewajipan interchange blocks the movement of traffic around the "Summit"
2) 4 phase traffic lights and poor timing of traffic lights force traffic to idle and traffic backs up due to this problem
3) High traffic volume because of the low density of Subang Jaya and USJ
4) Not enough north-south link roads between Subang Jaya and USJ (there should be 4 or 5, not just the 2 existing ones)
5) Toll roads around Subang Jaya
5a) Traffic using Pers. Kewajipan to access Shah Alam via KESAS...avoiding the Batu Tiga toll plaza.
6) lack of committment to reliable frequent public transport service running in bus lanes.
7) Lack of committment to fast KTM Komuter service from Subang Jaya to KL

I hope this answers your questions :)

Cheers, m

thanks, you have answered my questions!

as to expand point 2), i notice in the US, they timed their traffic lights on main roads in such a way that if you keep to your posted speed limits, it should be green all the way. i wonder if that is so difficult to implement in Malaysia.....

thanks, you have answered my questions!

as to expand point 2), i notice in the US, they timed their traffic lights on main roads in such a way that if you keep to your posted speed limits, it should be green all the way. i wonder if that is so difficult to implement in Malaysia.....@Erwinkarim

It is not that difficult as most of the major intersections in Malaysia already have the timing controls and the magnetic coils built in.

The problem is that the equipment is not really "on" or operating...and maintenance is pretty poor.

Cheers, m

Panel set up to study KL draft city plan
By BAVANI M


THE Federal Territory MCA has set up a committee to study the Kuala Lumpur Draft City Plan 2020 to help residents present their views and objections.

FT MCA secretary Datuk Yew Teong Look will lead the 15-member committee comprising representatives from the 11 constituencies in the Federal Territory including representatives from non-governmental organisations, experts in various fields like local government, environment, town planners and even traffic planners.


“We are focusing on land usage, land zoning and density issues as it is a crucial aspect of the plan and needs to be addressed,” Yew said.

According to Yew, the committee has since met twice and they were still looking for experts to beef up the team, as each constituency will have its own team of advisors and experts.

“Each division must be well equipped to understand and handle queries in regards to the draft city plan and help the residents write their objections.

“Once everything is compiled we will pass it to the mayor collectively,” Yew said, adding that he would handle Wangsa Maju constituency.

Yew said the Draft City Plan is a complex document and required time to analyse and study and it would prove to be a difficult task for the layman.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/3/central/m_02federalhill.jpg
On the hitlist: The green lung at Federal Hill may be gazetted for development.

“We wanted to do something significant for the residents of KL as they should also play a significant part in planning their city.”

According to Yew, in Wangsa Maju itself he had received complaints from landowners of change of land status as per the plan.

“In some areas, the land status and density have changed and people are not aware that their neighbourhoods have been earmarked for development so our job is to tell them what’s happening where and if they don’t like it, how to object to it,” Yew said.

Seputeh Barisan Nasional information chief Banie Chin, who is a member of the committee, said the plan was not only difficult to understand but had many discrepancies and that is why the residents needed help to decipher it.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/3/central/m_02puncak.jpg
Complaints coming in: Yew said he had already been in contact with several landowners in Wangsa Maju.

“The plan identifies the Bukit Jalil - Seputeh strategic zones as the highest density figures and this is not good.

“Areas like Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park are already congested and lacking in green areas and yet plans to build condominiums are being approved here,” Chin said.

“We all need to play a part in helping residents lead a healthy and quality lifestyle and that’s why it’s important to study and understand the draft plan better,” added Chin.

Once the commitee is ready, each division will hold meetings with the residents to help them understand the plan and compile their objections.

was looking at the plans for the 11 lines...

Out of the 11 lines most are being constructed in anticipation of a maximum of 5000 passengers per direction per hour.

I feel that this is very low, about the same as the existing monorail. A bus rapid transit service can achieve 5-8000 pphpd and cost a lot less too.

I agree with more LRT construction but do we want to make the same mistake as PUTRA/Kelana Jaya line and get a system that is overcapacity in less than 5 years?

and the construction costs are so high these days...

m thinks it is better to implement these lines using buses asap, then see which areas have the greatest number of passengers...and they can start building LRT from that knowledge.

Cheers, m

was looking at the plans for the 11 lines...

Out of the 11 lines most are being constructed in anticipation of a maximum of 5000 passengers per direction per hour.

I feel that this is very low, about the same as the existing monorail. A bus rapid transit service can achieve 5-8000 pphpd and cost a lot less too.

I agree with more LRT construction but do we want to make the same mistake as PUTRA/Kelana Jaya line and get a system that is overcapacity in less than 5 years?

and the construction costs are so high these days...

m thinks it is better to implement these lines using buses asap, then see which areas have the greatest number of passengers...and they can start building LRT from that knowledge.

Cheers, m

You're right - but:

Bus use gas (crude oil)... not so clever in the future...

^^

That is why there should be NGV stations around Malaysia, and only if that happen, the condition will be conducive for introduction of NGV buses here...

^^

That is why there should be NGV stations around Malaysia, and only if that happen, the condition will be conducive for introduction of NGV buses here...

NGV is very heavily subsidies by Petronas and government. It it floats to actual market price, it's basically pretty much at the same price of petrol/diesel but at worse performance curve.

if you want to be truly bold, we should try bio-diesel or ethanol or hydrogen powered buses.

Lake Garden goes big time
Azira Shaharuddin

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Tuesday/Stories/2262907/insidepix1

KUALA LUMPUR: The Lake Garden, which is one of the city's famous landmarks, will be elevated to a park of international status under the KL City Draft Plan 2020.

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Tuesday/Stories/2262907/insidepix2?display=xsmall
The Lake Garden will be turned into City Park which includes Parliament House.
The Lake Garden, according to Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan, will be known as the City Park, the highest hierarchy of parks in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the Lake Garden would be raised to the level of some of the major internationally renowned parks.

City Hall has proposed to enlarge Lake Garden from 74ha to 492ha in total.


The size of Lake Garden will almost be tripled with four areas around it included as part of the expansion.

Hakim said the proposed City Park would include Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman and government buildings in its north, government quarters and Parliament House in its west, and government buildings, the Bird Park and other parks in its east.

The additional land in the expanded Lake Garden will consist of residential area (41 per cent), open spaces and recreational areas (21 per cent), government buildings (16 per cent), institutions (7 per cent) and public facilities and others (4 per cent).

The City Park will be developed in phases and it is expected to be ready by 2020.

"The expansion will increase the ratio of open spaces from 10ha to 12ha for every 10,000 people," said Hakim.

Under the KL City Draft Plan 2020, green federal reserve land will be gazetted as a park.

Federal reserve land consisting of government quarters and land belonging to the Land and Mines head commissioner will be redeveloped for long term park usage.

Land belonging to government agencies such as City Hall, KTM, and palace reserve land and private land will be maintained while future development will be controlled to maintain the greenery of the area.

Hakim said City Hall would organise road-shows of the draft plan, which has met with opposition from some residents' associations, if city folk want such a move.

You're right - but:

Bus use gas (crude oil)... not so clever in the future...one bus can still take 60-120 cars off the road. Less fuel used by 60-120 cars means more fuel for that one bus.

So it will still be clever enough for our needs.

Oh, and if we want we can always electrify the system and go trolley.
Here's a trolleybus-based BRT system in Merida, Venezuela:

http://www.insideyorks.co.uk/tbus/xmd1.jpg

Cheers, m

Towards developing world-class status for KL
Stories by BAVANI M


bavanim@thestar.com.my

SOME quarters think that by increasing the Kuala Lumpur population of 1.6 million to 2.2 million by 2020 will result in density increases beyond sustainable limits.

And this would inadvertently results in poorer quality of life, traffic and crowd congestion, air and noise pollution and even unemployment.

But there are others who believe that if a city population declines it would lead to decay or even ruin, and eventually turned the once vibrant city into a ghost town.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/11/central/m_02klcity.jpg
Renewal: Changes are in the offing in KL.

The Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 envisions Kuala Lumpur as a world-class city with its residents living quality lifestyles despite a projected population increase of 600,000 by 2020.

The plan states that for Kuala Lumpur to progress and prosper, sustainable development is the only way to achieve it.

According to town planner Norliza Hashim, this is only possible if the people are willing to change their lifestyle patterns and make compromises.

She pointed out that the current land use pattern was the direct result of past practices and development trends, which were based on single land use zoning.

“Things have changed, trends have changed, market forces with environmental concerns requires new and integrated approach to land use planning,’’ she said.

Norliza said to become a world-class city, there must be a more flexible approach at land use zoning.

According to Norliza, some of the coordinated efforts in ensuring and supporting the city’s growth to cater for needs of its population include allocating land for future requirements, facilitating use of land and buildings, regulating incompatible land use and activities, integrating transport and spatial development, encouraging mixed-use development and transforming, and regenerating Brownfield sites and urban villages.

“Apart from the need to protect the environment and public open spaces, improving the traffic situation and upgrading public amenities, it is also time for people to embrace mixed use development,’’ Norliza said.

She pointed out that mixed-use development encouraged a balance of housing, employment, commercial and other community facilities in the same area.

“Working and living in the same area reduce travel time. Mixed development helps achieve intensive development by using the same space for more than one purpose,” Norliza said.

A valid point and one endorsed by Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) KL branch secretary Tan Ching Meng.

Tan said for KL to compete with other world-class cities it must move with the times.

“KL cannot be frozen by history and traditions. To advance, it needs to transform with the times and undergo a rejuvenation pro-cess,’’ he said.

A good example cited by both Norliza and Tan are Singapore’s Tao Payoh township and Bugis Street, which have successfully undergone regeneration process incorporating mixed-use development.

“There are commercial, retail, residential and transit stations nearby and, despite the lack in open spaces, the residents are enjoying a quality lifestyle,’’ Norliza said.

She said this could also happen in KL with proper planning and integrated development within the inner city.

According to Norliza, in most of the world-class cities, such Vancouver in Canada, the city is well integrated with high-rise buildings and yet could also boast the most number of parks.

Norliza said this could be done in Malaysia if the people recognised and accepted the fact that the way of modern life was high-rise and no longer horizontal.

Tan, meanwhile, said KL should not be stilted in comparison to its conurbations, the aggregations of urban areas.

“The capital city should be the liveliest in the country, with individual interest balanced with the overall needs of the KL residents,’’ he said.

26 areas in the city to undergo regeneration


THE Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 has identified 26 areas in the city for regeneration purposes. It aims to re-develop the city's older areas in order for the city to improve socially, economically and environmentally.

The 26 sites span a total area of 548 hectares in various parts of Kuala Lumpur.

This rejuvenation exercise called Brownfield development aims to regenerate older areas in the city as well as redevelop older housing and industrial areas, under-utilised land to improve the social, economic and environmental health of the city.

According to town planner Norliza Hashim, due to a shortage of vacant land in the city centre, it is increasingly difficult to look for alternative land for development and hence may stifle the capital city's ambition in becoming a world-class city by 2020.

Norliza is the main consultant engaged by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to draft the city plan.

Norliza said, however, that the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 had identified suitable Brownfield sites for regeneration and rejuvenation purposes.

The term “Brownfield” refers to abandoned or under-utilised industrial and commercial facilities which are no longer economically viable.

The city plan has identified areas like Sang Peng, Loke Yew, the former Pudu Jail, old shop houses along Jalan Bukit Bintang, former government quarters at Jalan Davis and many more that have been marked for redevelopment.

“Different sites have different rejuvenation plans. For instance, areas with old overcrowded PPR units (public housing schemes) will be upgraded to bigger units balanced with public amenities to provide residents a more quality lifestyle while blighted housing, industrial areas and old shop houses in the city will be more commercial while the open space in front of the 113-year-old Pudu Jail has been earmarked for mixed use commercial,” Norliza said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/11/central/m_02sangpeng.jpg
Facelift soon: The sites of the San Peng flats (above) and the former Pudu Jail (below) are among the 26 areas identified for rejuvenation.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/11/central/m_02pudujail.jpg

She said this project would provide the city with a more cleaner and orderly image.

According to Norliza, the draft plan promotes redevelopment of dilapidated sites, blighted buildings, development on infill sites, and also the regeneration of abandoned projects in the city.

By recycling land, cleaning up contaminated sites it is also encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle in the city and in turn reduces the pressure to develop on Greenfield land (green areas and open spaces).

Norliza said that the areas to be redeveloped would incorporate mixed-use development and high to medium density residential and will include public facilities, infrastructure, and urban parks with pedestrian friendly environment.

The KL branch of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Associa-tion (Rehda) has endorsed the move by issuing a statement saying that the draft plan’s redevelopment and regeneration of Brownfield sites in KL is a positive step.


Rehda said that this was in line with more cosmopolitan and mature global cities, where changing trends, shifting population and sophisticated urbanites necessitate city authorities and planners to initiate regeneration strategies to prevent slums and cities from decaying.

“With the move of the administrative offices to Putrajaya and abandoned project sites can be used for redevelopment or create more green space,” Rehda KL branch secretary Tan Ching Meng said.

“In Singapore, if a building is old and if one could get most of the owners to consent, the government can buy it back for redevelopment purposes,'' he said.

A beautiful and modern building like the Petronas Twin Towers has far reaching effects to the entire area.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2568777095_d012d0b14a_o.png

“Purchasers are willing to pay big bucks just for a unit facing the KLCC and such buildings enhances the property value around the city,” Tan said.

He said that this is what KL should move towards in order to achieve world-class status.

...where is no2? tiong nam area....sound familiar...no6,7,9,10,11 and 12 sound interesting..:banana::banana:

^^tiong nam area is near chowkit opp to the old capitol, federal cinemas

^^oooh...ok!! thx

83 submit comments on KL City plan
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ



http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/12/central/m_03zainab.jpg
Zainab: More feedbaacks are expected in the weeks ahead.

THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has received 83 public comments on the Draft KL City Plan 2020 as of yesterday since the plan was launched on May 15.

Nearly 90% of the comments are on the development control proposals while 10% concern the strategic aspects of the draft plan.

DBKL master plan department director Zainab Mohd Ghazali said it was still early and more feedbacks were expected in the weeks ahead.

“All the views received are put into our website and people can view them. We are more concerned about opinions on strategic issues involving transportation, environment and traffic,” Zainab said during the DBKL meet-the-press session yesterday.

“Different sites have different rejuvenation plans. For instance, areas with old overcrowded PPR units (public housing schemes) will be upgraded to bigger units balanced with public amenities to provide residents a more quality lifestyle while blighted housing, industrial areas and old shop houses in the city will be more commercial while the open space in front of the 113-year-old Pudu Jail has been earmarked for mixed use commercial,” Norliza said.


the pudu jail will be developed into a mix use commercial, the current underconstruction of Taragon Puteri too is a mix use, while BTS is a mix use commercial...

and now, another mix use commercial? emm....

Not all slope development dangerous


I am a practising engineer and would like to clarify some misconceptions highlighted in the media regarding hill slope development.

While I do recognise the Highland Towers tragedy as a great lesson for all of us, we must also acknowledge that if proper precautions and technical plans are put in place, there is also nothing wrong in building houses or apartments on hill slopes.

What is important is for the engineers and builders to put in place the right plan and technology to ensure that the safety aspects of the development are given sufficient attention.

In this regard, I would like to urge the public to not oppose all forms of hill slope development as envisioned under the KL 2020 City Plan.

As long as safety precautions are taken into consideration, city planners must be given the flexibility to decide. Of course, environmental impact should always be a factor to be considered.

We must remember, without development taking place at the hills, Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong would not have built Malaysia‘s world-class entertainment city.

The Engineer
Kuala Lumpur

Coalition on collision course
Noel Achariam

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Monday/Stories/2262068/insidepix1
Bangsar Baru Residents Association’s first meeting on the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan at Bangsar Sports Complex. Picture by MOKHSIN ABIDIN

KUALA LUMPUR: The Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur (CSKL) has said no to the KL City Draft Plan 2020.


The coalition, comprising more than 20 residents' associations from the various districts in Kuala Lumpur, made this stand after a meeting on Wednesday with the Joint Action Committee for Bukit Gasing and the Bangsar Business Council.

They unanimously agreed that the KL City Draft Plan was fundamentally flawed and needs to be re-evaluated.

The coalition will call in its own town planners and consultants to study the draft plan and make recommendations to City Hall on the changes.


The coalition's latest move was in contrast to its earlier call to City Hall for more time to study the plan. CSKL had earlier requested City Hall to extend the deadline for recommendations by the public from June 30 to Dec 31.

Now, the coalition has decided not to ask for more time but to reject the KL draft plan.

The coalition, which has formed a five-man working committee, will draft a letter to the Federal Territories Ministry and City Hall, stating their objections to the plan and making recommendations for changes.

The coalition has told the residents associations in the various districts to get town planners to study the draft plan involving their areas and come up with better designs.

The coalition is headed by Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman while its deputy chairman is Datuk George Joseph, the president of the Bangsar Baru Residents Association, and its secretary is Thevi Sinnadurai.

Abdul Aziz said that the coalition is now planning to bring the issue to parliament.

"We have come to the conclusion that the draft plan is not consistent with the National Physical Plan (NPP), which is mandatory. The strategic policies lined out in the NPP have to be taken seriously.

"The draft plan does not tackle the fundamental issues, which is making the city a better place for the residents to live in based on the quality of life.

"Instead they are planning to increase the density in Kuala Lumpur. We do not see how this plan gives that impact," he said, adding that the draft plan envisages an increase in density, whereas the NPP aims for a decrease in density.

"We will be making a formal representation, stating our reasons why CSKL is rejecting the plan," he said.

Bukit Damansara House Owners Association secretary Selva Kumar Rasiah said he was not surprised that many residents' associations were not in favour of the draft plan.

"We were impressed by the overwhelming response from the residents' associations. Everyone came with a strong decision to reject the draft plan. We believe that the plan is not going forward and we want changes to be made.

"We have a group of dedicated professionals who are willing to take the trouble to study the plan and point out the flaws. Many of them are coming with a wealth of experience to debate on the issues and we believe that together as a team we can make a difference," he said.

KL City Plan may be challenged in court


Stories by YIP YOKE TENG

The Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur may eventually challenge the legality of the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 in court as more residents associations and NGOs are convinced that it is fundamentally flawed.

Objection against the draft plan 2020 grows more intense with more parties recognising that it has failed to conform to the policies of low density in the National Physical Plan, National Urbanisation Plan and Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020.

However, the coalition will seek intervention from the Prime Minis-ter, the Cabinet and parliamentarians before heading to court.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/6/16/central/m_3drloh.jpg
Concerned ones: Panel of speakers at the KL Green Lung seminar organised by Malaysian Nature Society, (from left) Malaysian Nature Society executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong, Sri Bukit Persekutuan representative Charles Tan, Bukit Kiara representative Dr Pola Singh, MNS vice-president Datuk Dr Hashim Abdul Wahab, Bukit Sungai Puteh representative Dr Anne Munro-Kua and Bukit Gasing Joint Action Committee member Gary Yeoh.

The Malaysian Nature Society became the latest NGO to recognise the non-compliance in the aspects of low development intensity and green lung conservation.

The society, following the conclusion of the KL Green Lung seminar it organised on June 14 at Rimba Ilmu building in Universiti Malaya, is submitting a report to the Federal Territories Ministry and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to show its stand.

The report would also point out the need to strengthen existing laws to prohibit the de-gazetting of forest reserves as past experiences showed that green lung encroachments started with the local authority doing that without public knowledge.

An e-forum would be formed to bring together people wanting to save green lungs and to save Kuala Lumpur from becoming an all-choked-up city, while expanding the network of the Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur.

“The gazetted open spaces, recreational and sports facilities in KL in 2000 accounts for 6.52% of the total KL land use,” said the society’s vice-president, Datuk Dr Hashim Abdul Wahab, who is also the organising chairman.

“However, if we were to add in the unused green areas or ungazetted land, the figure would increase up to 36% – this will be most suitable towards reaching a world-class city status,” he added.

The seminar was attended by residents’ representatives and was received warmly.

It was learnt that the DBKL was invited to the seminar and had confirmed attendance but pulled out a day before.

Meanwhile, the coalition has prepared a letter to alert the Prime Minister and his Cabinet about the draft KL City Plan 2020’s violation of the policies in the three plans.

It was penned by the alliance’s head Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman and supported by all 22 organisations under the coalition.

“If necessary, the coalition, through the MPs, would seek to move a motion in parliament or to order a commission of inquiry into the planning of Kuala Lumpur to see if there was abuse of power,” said the coalition’s legal adviser Derek Fernandez.

The attendees opposed the draft plan’s intention to increase the city’s population by 600,000 in 12 years, calling that “a self-imposed criteria”, as it would only worsen the already serious problems of traffic, flooding, pollution and cost escalation.

They felt that the direction was fundamentally flawed as the National Physical Plan and National Urbanisation Plan had spelled out that developments should be spread across the identified conurbations, which should cover Seremban, Putrajaya and parts of Selangor in the case of the KL conurbation, to reach the ideal density of 25 people per hectare.

“Although the density in KL has exceeded that, we want the average density for the whole conurbation to be 25 people per hectare.

“KL is fully saturated, its density has to be reduced, it should not absorb the 600,000 people as the government's intention is for them to be spread across the conurbation,” he said.

He added that the National Physical Planning Council had set a target of open space coverage of 2ha per 1,000 people for KL as compared with merely 0.36ha now.

The open space coverage per 1,000 people for major cities are London (4ha), Melbourne (2ha), New York (2ha) and Toronto (2ha).

Fernandez also emphasised that DBKL officials should not use “pre-approved development” to justify their leniency towards developers as Section 24 of the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982 clearly stated that all Development Orders expire in one year.

Attendees expressed their frustration resulting from DBKL’s manner in dealing with their objections towards hillside developments, citing “the push-around treatment, officials’ false statements, empty promises and utter arrogance”.

They reckoned that new paradigms should be adopted to deal with the authorities, hence the need to further inculcate awareness and encourage involvement through ICT, as well as to be green voters. It was also unanimously agreed that an elected local government would be the remedy for many of the problems.

Plan introduces baffling new term – private open space


The term “private open space” introduced in the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 had experts, residents and environmentalists scratching their heads at the KL Green Lung seminar organised by the Malaysian Nature Society on Saturday at Rimba Ilmu, Universiti Malaya.

A table in the draft plan indicates that the city aspires to increase the ratio of public parks and open space to population (sq m per person) from the current 7 to 11, which is almost double.

The area required to achieve this target is 2,418ha but the total land allocated for public parks in 2020 is 1,882ha (at present 1,543ha).

So, where does the rest of the open space come from?

According to Malaysian Nature Society executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong, the answer he received from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the draft plan’s consultants in a recent briefing was that the rest would be “private open space”.

“They said developers would in the future be required to set aside 30% of their development area as open space.

“However, we wonder how is that going to be implemented as these so-called private open space will be private areas, which are not obliged to be open to the public,” he said.

Moreover, the ratio of 11 was still far from the National Physical Plan’s target of 20, he added.

Dr Loh also pointed out that even though the draft plan had listed out the environmental protection zones, there were still more open space in the city, such as those in Hartamas and Damansara, that ought to be protected.

He added that despite the technical complexity of the draft plan, it did not show clearly how much of the remaining 36% open space and unused green areas in the city had been earmarked for development.

“Even though it does not show how much land will be touched eventually, encroachment into Bukit Gasing is already a clear sign to this,” he said.

Residents from affected areas were invited to share their experiences of seeing green lungs raped by unsustainable development.


Bukit Gasing

Surprisingly, the part of Bukit Gasing earmarked for 68 bungalow lots has been named “Gasing Indah” in the draft plan, said Bukit Gasing Joint Action Committee member Gary Yeoh.

“On top of that, even though it is said clearly in the draft plan that areas above 100m of Bukit Gasing would be protected, the planned development will in fact cut through the hill’s peak at 135m,” he said.

More worryingly, the planned development is just next to a 23mil litre capacity reservoir that supplies water to Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam.

The hill’s soil combination of sandstone and shale has been confirmed by academicians as not fit for development and a landslide ocurred last year just at the doorsteps of the Sivan Temple, but all these have not stopped developers from eyeing its lucrative returns.

Federal Hill

To the shock of residents, the stretch of Federal Hill earmarked for the much-opposed development has been changed from an institutional land to commercial.

The piece of “commercial land” will house a police station.

“It is the first time we are hearing of a commercial police station,” said Sri Bukit Perse-kutuan representative Charles Tan.

Bukit Kiara

Despite having been gazetted as forest reserve, Bukit Kiara has not been spared from damage with some parties chopping down trees and clearing land to create a 25km-long horse trail, said speaker Dr Pola Singh.

Under maintained water points for horses are becoming mosquito-breeding grounds, not to mention a string of consequences of the horse trail such as soil erosion and muddy land surface.

Bukit Sungai Putih

The “death” of Bukit Sungai Putih in Cheras started with the local council secretly de-gazetting the forest reserve that was gazetted in the 1930s.

Speaker Dr Anne Munro-Kua said the residents found out about the “crime” the hard way when a jogger spotted land-clearing and was beaten up by the workers.

Strong protests over 12 years, including lodging complaints with the Anti-Corruption Agency, could not stop the local council from granting approvals to unscrupulous developers.

Think positive about KL structure plan, says City Hall

BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR:

Kuala Lumpur City Hall hopes that city dwellers would adopt a positive mindset on the Kuala Lumpur Draft Structure Plan as a guide to the development of the city in the next two decades.

The plan’s director, Zainab Mohd Ghazali, said that besides complaints, the draft had also received proposals, ideas and opinions from the public who were concerned with the city’s future.

“Currently, we have received more than 100 registered views from the public and we welcome your opinions,” she told a public forum on the plan which was also attended by members of parliament.

However, Zainab said beside proposals and ideas, input was also needed on how it could be implemented.

“Please register your opinions and ideas with us, as well as any complaints you may have, regarding the draft. Please help us make this (plan) work,” she said to the various complaints and issues brought up to the floor.

Amongst the issues brought up in the forum to DBKL was the future of hawkers in the city after they are asked to relocate, and whether they would be given a hawker centre for their respective businesses.

DBKL under fire at briefing on draft plan
Wednesday June 18, 2008
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ
TheStar

THE opposition guns were blazing at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday during a briefing on the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

The briefing for MPs of the Federal Territory was held at the DBKL complex in Jalan Raja Laut. Draft plan consultant Norliza Hashim conducted the briefing.

The MPs present were Tan Kok Wai (DAP- Cheras), Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh), Wee Choo Keong (MDP-Wangsa Maju) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut).

The primary concern expressed by the MPs was that the draft plan was not benefiting the general population of the city.

The MPs also questioned the DBKL on why it had approved certain development orders when the announcement to launch the draft plan had not then been made.

They want to know why volume 3 of the draft plan is still not available to the public.

Volume 3 contains guidelines governing all developments and other concerns in the city.

Wee said the DBKL should have stopped granting approvals to development order applications the moment the announcement to launch the draft plan was made.

He said the proper thing for the DBKL to do after the launching of the draft plan was to withdraw all approvals given.

“This is just a draft plan and nothing is gazetted yet. What happens when the plans are approved and then the area for the approved plan is earmarked for something else? The DBKL will then have to pay compensation for the blunder,” Wee said.

Tan, meanwhile, referred to a newspaper advertisement published by the DBKL yesterday, inviting the public to file objections, if any, to a medium-cost apartment in Taman Kobena.

Tan said there was no need for the DBKL to rush the approval process when the draft plan was still in question.

The planning permission sought was for the development of a 21-storey block of 128 apartment units, with a four-storey podium car park and communal facilities, which involves an increase in residential density from 60 people per 0.4ha to 390.

“Why is there such a rush for the DBKL to approve this project? It is clearly a high-density project and it is like a 550% increase in density,” Tan said.

On the plans of making Kuala Lumpur an international tourist hub, Tan said the draft plan mentioned nothing of the strategies involved in the process.

Tan said besides cultural heritage spots, safety was a big concern of an international tourist hub.

“What are the safety plans for the city in order to achieve its objective as an international tourist hub?” he asked.

Teresa pointed out that the DBKL was promoting the various means of public transportation but ignored the urgent need for more car parks in the city.

She said while it was good to encourage the use of public transport, the DBKL did not have any say in the management and operation of the LRT, monorail and the bus services.

Teresa calls for a briefing session on draft KL City Plan
By FAZLEENA AZIZ


A SPECIAL briefing session will be held with residential associations about the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 covering the Bukit Jalil-Seputeh zone.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok called for the move so that residents can work together to submit objections on the plan during a meeting at the Seri Petaling Community Centre recently.

“I find the plan comes with disturbing facts in terms of housing and transportation,” said Teresa.

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All ears: Residents from Seri Petaling and nearby areas listening to Teresa during the meeting.

“The plan encourages more people to live in the city and in high-rise buildings.

“They also want to encourage more people to use public transportation and reduce parking spaces. Until today they keep talking about building new LRT lines but we do not see any structures.

“We have to understand that transportation does not come under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) but under the ministry, therefore the issues must be raised before the lands are gazetted,” said Teresa.

Teresa also said that the plan did not take inputs from the locals.

Local government expert and environmental lawyer Derek Fernandez said that local residents of Seri Petaling would be greatly affected by the KL city plan.

“Every aspect of your lives will be affected from crime to housing,” he said.

“There are too much of development in some places and too little in others. One of the major problems in the plan is the increase in population because the present infrastructure cannot take in more.

“The density in KL is already high and DBKL did not conduct proper effective consultation,” he said.

He also said that the KL city plan book does not tell people the before and after.

Town planning and transport management expert Goh Bok Yen said that the plan transit zones have no proper accessible road.

“If we were to compare with the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP) and National Physical Plan (NPP), there are inconsistencies.

“KLSP states future road requirements but the KL city plan does not state new roads but it can increase commercial lands.

“The LRT systems looks nice but can it be implemented and banking on it is a risk,” said Goh.

Town planning and environmental expert Pratap Chandran Gopinath added that not enough rationale or thought was given into the KL city plan as it looks like some coloured map.

City Hall not serious, says MP
Azira Shaharuddin

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Friday/Stories/2272122/insidepix1
MPs and members of residents’ associations at a briefing by City Hall on Tuesday.

KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall has been accused of making a mockery of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

Wangsa Maju MP Wee Choo Keong said City Hall is still giving approvals to projects and making development orders for areas in the draft plan when it should cease doing so until the plan is gazzeted.

He asked what purpose was then served by City Hall putting the draft plan on display and inviting the public to give their suggestions or voice their objections. City Hall has announced that the public has until Aug. 31 to do so.

But ironically approvals and development orders are still being dished out when all projects should have been halted until the plan is gazetted, Wee said.


He said City Hall was making a mockery of the draft plan by approving plans when a public opinions were still being sought.

"I think generally, City Hall is not serious and this is just a cosmetic exercise," he said at a briefing by City Hall on the draft plan for MPs and residents' associations recently.

He said City Hall faces the risk of paying compensation to the public if the approval granted is different from the contents of the draft plan.

He said all approvals should have been frozen from the date of the local draft announcement in April until August. "All the approvals granted during this period should be withdrawn," he added.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai raised objections over an application to build a 21-storey apartment block with a four-storey car park at Taman Kobena.

The project will increase residential density from 60 to 390 persons per acre. "This is an increase of 550 per cent. The area will be more densely populated, creating more problems," he said.

Other MPs at the briefing were Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng and Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo'Lo Mohd Ghazali.

Kok said she expected many residents to object over a proposed graveyard on land behind Plaza OUG.

Fong advised land owners to check their lot in the draft plan. In his constituency seven double-storey houses were classified in the plan as a public open space.

Lim said Bukit Kiara should be gazetted as a green lung, and the lack of public facilities allocated in the plan.

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Worried over KL's future
K. Harinderan


KUALA LUMPUR: Not enough consideraton has been given towards providing a better quality of life in the city in the drafting of the Kuala Lumpur Draft City Plan 2020.


Khairiah Talha says the plan for Kuala Lumpur does not have human scale.


Goh Bok Yen says traffic projections are unrealistic and congestion will result.
This was the main criticism raised at a recent forum on The Future of Kuala Lumpur at which a four-member panel discussed the shortfalls in the plan and why it should not be implemented.

Malaysian Institute of Planners past president Khairiah Talha discussed the fundamentals on which the plan should be based, and said many issues are not properly explained.

This includes the exact nature of the limited land and space within the city, the unrealistic projections of population growth, which in turn relate to the dispersion of the residents, or urban sprawl.


Another is the implementation and phasing of compact development, which means concentrated development along transport nodes.

Certain areas need mixed infill, or brownfield, development to improve the amenities and access to transportation and make them more efficient.

"Human scale" needs to be defined, for example smaller buildings, blocks and roads. More amenities should be included since people experience the landscape up close, as pedestrians.

Transport and land use patterns are needed that allow for various forms of transport like walking, cycling and public transport.

And better management of streets and traffic congestion is needed in case people do not opt to take public transport.

"The objective of the draft plan should be to promote city centre growth and compact transit-oriented urban forms, which means mixed-use development to result in better housing and transport choices," she said.

The city should have a land-use mix that balances housing and employment in which all sectors are clearly addressed and defined.

Khairiah added: "The major critique of the plan stems from the need for maximising the use of existing infrastructure and minimising new infrastructure costs, while revitalising areas with lower commercial value."

Improvements are needed to maintain a working land base for agriculture, rural, forest, and other resource lands, stressing green infrastructure and reducing air pollution by encouraging a mix of services near to homes and employment, reducing the need for cars.

Town planning and traffic management expert Goh Bok Yean said: "The plan has insufficient information on accessibility of transportation to cater for the vision of Kuala Lumpur being a world class city."

He said many of the plan's projections on traffic flow and proposed railway construction are unrealistic, and the terminology used in the plan is inconsistent and not tailored to the layman.

Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association deputy president Mumtaz Ali said traffic congestion will be the result if the plan is implemented, as roads will not be able to handle the increased volume of traffic if more high-rise apartments are built.

"This will affect the living standards of the residents of the city.

"A greener environment has to be created, with better amenities like walkways and parks for recreation, not to mention easier access for the elderly and handicapped," he added.

About 50 people from various non-governmental organisations, state assemblymen and city residents attended the forum jointly organised by Selangor Community Awareness Association (Empower) and the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall socio-economic committee.

Gurmit: Plan makes residents pay heavy price

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Monday/Stories/2274370/insidepix1
Gurmit Singh: City Hall's vision of making Kuala Lumpur a world class city does not address certain prerequisites.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur Draft City Plan 2020 makes no reference to the environment and makes no provision for green lungs and proper amenities in the city says an environmentalist.

The plan is too narrow in its focus and many important issues are looked at on a piecemeal basis, he said.

"The environment should be the sole platform of any plan," said Gurmit Singh, chairman of Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (Cetdem) at the public forum on the future of Kuala Lumpur.

He said City Hall's vision of making Kuala Lumpur a world class city does not address certain prerequisites.


"A developed city is an international commercial and financial centre with an efficient and equitable city structure.

"By this I mean we should have good quality air and water and properly managed amenities, which in end will create a distinctive city identity administered by an efficient and effective government," he said.

Gurmit said Kuala Lumpur could only attain this if the Klang River is not polluted, all drains, roads and empty spaces are not cluttered with rubbish, traffic jams do not prevail and public transport is improved.

"Green lungs are shrinking and undispersed in the plan," he said, questioning whether the figure of 1.09 hectares of space per 1,000 people still holds true today when there is an urgent need for a multitude of well spread out mini-parks.

He said the environment is only looked on as a landscape issue, and matters like pollution and the increase in solid waste are not properly addressed

"One of the main issues here is that maintenance is ignored and the residents have to pay many environmental and economic prices of absent planning on comprehensive preventive maintenance," he said.

Public health and sanitation issues, such as bad drains and unhygienic food are good examples of this, he said.

He urged City Hall to look into minimising the ecological footprint; eliminating all forms of wastage; optimising energy efficiencies and switch to recycled materials that are efficient; and providing clean and affordable transport.

"The draft plan is very narrow in its outlook," he said.

City Hall now needs to restudy the environmental effects in relation to on housing and transport and heed the objections of the public, he said.

Include us in hearing panel, says KL MPs
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ


ALL MPs should also be included in the public opinion hearing committee on the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

The Federal Territory Pakatan Rakyat MPs collectively agreed that as MPs were the bridge between the people and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), they should be included in the hearing committee.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said the committee should have more independent town planners, environmentalists and architects.

He said the current line-up comprised former and current DBKL staff members and, therefore, was not a fair one.

“I think it’s improper to have people from City Hall sitting on the committee because there may be a conflict of interest as some of them could probably have been involved in the decision-making process when it comes to the draft plan,” Tan said.

Meanwhile, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng questioned the Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique on Datuk Esa Mohamed’s appointment as the chairman of the draft plan’s public opinion hearing committee during a parliament session on June 23.

Lim said Esa’s appointment was a conflict of interest as he was also the chairman of a consulting company that carried out a study on the draft plan.

Lim later received an answer from Zulhasnan saying that after a meeting with Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan on May 22, a new chairman, Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim, was appointed effective May 27.

“They felt that Esa was not suitable for the position as he was also a member of the advisors’ board for the DBKL.

“But my concern is why the public was not informed of the meeting that took place on May 22 and the change of the committee’s chairman?” Lim asked.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok’s concern was more on whether the public opinion hearing committee would be able to analyse and adhere to the people’s complaints effectively and accurately.

She said based on her experience with the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan earlier, public opinions were not taken into consideration seriously.

“Whatever we objected to when the plan was tabled was still included in the draft plan.

“Our worry now is what if our objections for the draft plan are also ignored?

“We can’t do anything much after it is gazetted.

“It makes us doubt the effectiveness of the committee’s role in actually looking into the objections.

“Public opinion must be heard and incorporated into the draft plan before it is gazetted,” Teresa said.

Draft plan aims for Smart Growth
By YIP YOKE TENG


THE draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 embraces a Smart Growth concept, hence the compact development projected for the city.

Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) council member Khairiah Mohd Talha, who was an independent consultant for the formulation of the draft plan, explained that the Smart Growth concept was adopted to create a liveable city while preventing urban development from eating into prime agricultural areas.

However, speaking from her past experience of working in the town planning department of a local government, she conceded that “there's always political interference.”

Khairiah, who is MIP's Sustainable Planning and Community Development Committee chairman, shared this at a public forum on the draft plan held on Wednesday at the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

The forum, titled The Future of Kuala Lumpur, was jointly organised by Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower) and the KL Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall's Socio-Economic Committee.

The other speakers were town planner and traffic consultant Goh Bok Yen, Centre for Environmental Technology and Development Malaysia (Cetdem) chairman Gurmit Singh and Bukit Bandaraya Residents Association deputy president Mumtaz Ali.

“Many old cities around the world are being revitalised. One way to do it is to go high density at transport nodes so that land can be released for open space. It has to be vibrant so that people would be willing to walk to the transport nodes, thereby alleviating congestion,” Khairiah said.

As for the allegations that the draft plan has failed to conform to the National Physical Plan (NPP), the National Urbanisation Plan (NUP) and the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP), Khairiah said she could not fully agree.

“The NPP calls for selective concentration while the NUP advocates compactness at selected areas through transit-oriented development. Also, these two plans were formulated after the release of the KLSP,” she said.

According to her, the problems actually result from discrepancies between the NPP and the NUP.

“The NPP sets out that 25 people per hectare is the ideal density but the NUP promotes compact development. The national town planners should do something about this,” she said.

She further explained that Smart Growth – the anti-thesis to urban sprawl – entailed dynamic trends.

Among them were maximising land use, creating a vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood and encouraging a mix of services near residences and work places to reduce pollution (as the use of automobiles is reduced), and improving viability of transit by concentrating development.

Gurmit Singh expressed his concerns based on the city's habit of having ambitious concepts marred by poor implementation and maintenance.

Goh highlighted the absence of a multi-modal public transport system that was well co-ordinated on the macro level, not just for the current situation but also in the draft plan.

“The draft plan is banking on the ambitious 11 new extension lines, which is highly risky. Furthermore, I checked the locations of some of the proposed stations and it was clear the consultants had not looked into the various factors there,” he said.

The question-and-answer session revealed another disturbing fact and Khairiah confirmed it: that natural disaster management had not been taken into consideration.

Draft KL City Plan 2020: High density, missing elements... headaches
Elizabeth John


It’s the plan that will shape the face of Kuala Lumpur over the next 12 years and it’s also the most debated document that ever came out of City
Hall that is getting city folk mad.

FEW things scream anger like a demand for your money back.

And that's exactly what a Sri Petaling man did last week, silencing a crammed room of a hundred residents as he shouted:

"This document is rubbish, I want to claim back my money. You can take back this plan. Give me my RM150."

The plan was the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 and the noisy meeting brought to a sudden halt was debating its likely impact on residents in the Seputeh constituency.

From its launch, the draft plan has been a nothing short of a dartboard for criticism.

And in a city where people hardly know their neighbours it's even spawned a grouping of residents association out to save the city from the draft plan.

Chief among the public objections is towards the move to raise density from 6,840 people per sq km to 9,577 in just a dozen years.

Planners and residents are asking if the city has the infrastructure to support this; if it has enough roads, schools or even water for hundreds of thousands more.

Some, like the vocal planning lawyer Derek Fernandez, argues that it also snubs the directives in the country's paramount planning document, the National Physical Plan.

The NPP seeks to, as far as possible, keep density at 25 pph in the Kuala Lumpur conurbation - an area that stretches from the city to Seremban - although in many places, that figure has been surpassed.

But plan proponents argue that its intent is noble and that compact development puts people near amenities and is the only real option in a city with little space left to grow.

It maximises the use of existing land and infrastructure instead of having the city sprawl endlessly, explained Khairiah Talha, a consultant on the draft plan and a Malaysian Institute of Planners council member.

Filling-in and filling-up the spaces in the city helps free land for open spaces and agriculture, explained Khairiah one of the few brave to turn up at such public briefings and face tough questions.

"But that's no excuse for overcrowding," counters Fernandez, a recently appointed Petaling Jaya municipal councilor.

And residents are seeing scary glimpses of the "overcrowding" he talks about in details of the draft plan for many areas they call home.

Bukit Indah lies in the Bukit Jalil-Seputeh area that will see KL's highest population jump.

Long established housing areas here, like United Garden, have been re-zoned under the draft plan to become district commercial centres.

This opens quiet clusters of bungalows and terrace houses to entertainment outlets, theme parks, hotels and high-density apartments, says veteran planner Chandran Gopinath.

"How could they do this? Now someone can buy the neighbour's house and turn it into a funeral parlour.

"And the roads here are already clogged and the houses narrow, what more do they expect to put in?"

But there's even worse, says Chandran. Like Bamboo Garden, off Ipoh Road, where the density will increase to 400 people per acre.

There are other such examples in Segambut, Jinjang and Kepong, Chandran says.

"It's like they've given a kid a brush and asked him to paint the draft plan any colour he likes."

Residents are also finding things missing from the draft's maps like land previously allocated for schools, markets and kindergartens.

Some religious groups attending the numerous briefings are also worried that some of their places of worship have not been marked as such in the plan.

Representatives of one Buddhist organisation asked at the Sri Petaling meeting last week why there was no information in the plan about the allocation of space for religious buildings according to the ethnic or religious breakdown of the population in the area.

The environmental planning and allocation of open spaces under the draft plan has also been a flack magnet.

While the Lake Gardens will expand in size, what's taking centre stage is the fact that KLites will enjoy a measly 11.1 sq metres of open space per person in 2020.

"In a world class city like London, its 40 sq metres of open space per person," Fernandez says, making a jibe at the draft plan's world-class city aspirations for KL.

He's particularly annoyed that while open space has shrunk, gross commercial space has increased under the plan and the few green areas left in KL are being carved out for development.

Fernandez points to the chunk of 49 per cent of the city council's land on Bukit Gasing that's been earmarked for development as one example.

"It's not for public infrastructure but luxury houses on slopes with retention ponds and near a river bed.

"This violates the council's own policies, its earlier structure plan, and the National Physical Plan."

To make matters worse, the draft plan is quite confusing about what's allowed on the small part of Bukit Gasing that will be preserved as an open space.

The "permitted use" table in volume two says permitted uses of the land include for technology, research and development, sports and recreation facilities and secure residential institutions.

But under the "Zoning Schedule (General)" for public open spaces, the only permitted use is for sports and recreation facilities.

Another small, easy to miss point that many residents are waking up to is that the zoning allows with conditions, general retail and office and golf facilities in this kind of a public open space.

The plan also says that over 5,000 people were consulted before the draft was drawn up. Khairiah confirmed this, describing the focus groups her team talked to before they went to the drawing board.

But residents don't consider this consultation -- the angry Sri Petaling man who demanded his money back also wanted the draft plan frozen till the city council sought residents' views.

Residents associations are now considering getting the draft plan nullified on the basis that it has not fulfilled the legal requirement for public consultation.

City council, its planners and consultants have through dialogue and the media appealed to KL folk to keep an open mind while reading the plan and understand the difficulties of planning in a fast developing city.

But residents say that's difficult because they don't like what they see and the information they need just isn't there.

Residents who asked questions at a briefing at the Chinese Assembly Hall last week, for instance, were told that planners had not taken disaster risk management into account and they could not find specific reference to squatter issues in the plan.

The biggest problem of all perhaps, complained residents, was that the draft plan was very difficult to read.

It had a complicated format and maps often had no legends.

It wasn't just proposals that posed problems but also strange abbreviations like the "ppdph" which means passengers per direction per hour but would have left most just a that bit more frustrated.

Because Googling it would have given them this: Postural post-dural puncture headache.

Poor quality of life if more live in KL
Azira Shaharuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 has been on display for more than a month and the issue that is being hotly debated is the population density.

The draft plan proposes to increase the city's density from 1.6 million in 2005 to 2.2 million in 2020.

This has invited scores of objections from KLites, especially residents directly affected, like those in Bangsar.

Lawyer Derek Fernandez said the proposed increase in density was against the objectives of the National Physical Plan, which proposes a reduction in population density in the Kuala Lumpur conurbation, covering Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Seremban and Shah Alam.


"Federal planners realise there is sufficient land for sustainable development in the conurbation. There is a need to decentralise and discourage overdevelopment in areas already concentrated with development," he said.

The plan requires a reduction in population density to 25 persons per hectare even though this figure has been exceeded in the city.

"This is common sense as the infrastructure can no longer cope with the increase in population density."

He said Kuala Lumpur was like a car with five seats but six passengers, creating discomfort. "Now, City Hall is proposing to introduce two more passengers."

Derek said the National Physical Plan claimed there was another empty car. "It encourages putting the extra passengers in the other car and then working at improving the comfort of the existing six passengers."

He said the fundamental flaw in the local draft plan was that it was drawn to meet the increase in population by 600,000 by 2020.

"Not only is there no basis for this assumption, the draft conflicts with the National Physical Plan, amounting to abuse of power."

He said population increase for vibrancy and to prevent urban decay would only result in poor quality of life, unemployment, a transport nightmare, garbage and sanitation problems, loss of privacy, noise pollution and a lack of water supply.

"One just needs to look at Jakarta, Bangkok and metro Manila to see the impact of over-population."

The National Urbanisation Policy requires two hectares of open space for 1,000 persons, or 20 sq metres per person.

Derek said the draft plan proposed only 11 sq metres per person.

He said green lungs had been been reduced.

Derek reminded City Hall it was legally required to comply with the National Physical Plan by virtue of Section 6B (5) of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 2001.

City Plan battle hots up
Noel Achariam

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Tuesday/Stories/2281488/insidepix1
Coalition president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman (right) saying no to City Hall at a press conference last Sunday.

KUALA LUMPUR: By now, City Hall (DBKL) must be thinking it has one of the toughest cities to run in the world.

It seems that so many people in Kuala Lumpur are ready to pick up a loudspeaker and give City Hall an earful or drag its officials to courts.


Last week, Medan Damansara residents were threatening legal action against City Hall over hillside development in their area. On Sunday, it was the turn of the Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur (CSKL) to issue a similar threat to City Hall.


CSKL gave a big thumbs down to City Hall's Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 by declaring the plan was full of flaws and contravened many Acts and laws. The coalition, comprising 26 residents' associations, non-governmental organisations and other concerned parties, also listed down a series of objections to the draft plan.


CSKL president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said they will take City Hall to court if the latter proceeds with the city plan.


The coalition, said Aziz, is demanding that City Hall and the Federal Territories Ministry withdraw the Draft Plan.


"We have already written a letter to the prime minister and we are waiting for a reply. We believe that our arguments are valid and if there is no response within two weeks, we will seek help from the Members of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.


"If that does not produce any result, we will stage a peaceful demonstration. The final course will be legal action," he said.


Aziz said the coalition also wants City Hall to freeze all development applications until the KL City Plan has been developed, reviewed and approved.


He said City Hall must address existing issues with the meaningful involvement of KL residents and stakeholders in the development of the plan.


"CSKL is also demanding that City Hall and the Federal Territories Ministry investigate abuses in local planning in KL and violation of federal policies and cabinet decisions in relation to national development," said Aziz.


The Save KL coalition’s objections:




Non compliance with Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 -- The Draft KL City Plan 2020 does not comply with Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 because there has been no pre-consultation with the public.

Omission of Critical Components of the Plan -- Volume 3 of the DKLCP has been referred to but has not been made available. This volume contains critical components of the plan including detailed development guidelines for implementation. Not releasing the Volume 3 constitutes a concealment of key information and is contrary to City Hall's public duty to reveal critical information.

Key assumptions made in the Draft Plan are not valid -- The assumptions made on the overall population density and required open space for Kuala Lumpur are not consistent with the National Physical Plan (NPP) and the National Urbanisation Policy.

Violation of National Physical Plan -- The National Physical Plan is binding on the Draft Plan and any deviations are a violation of a cabinet approved document. City Hall has no legal right to draft the City Hall plan in this manner as it contradicts the NPP in the following areas: City Hall is based on increasing the overall population density of KL, not decreasing it. There is insufficient open spaces set aside for KL within the Draft Plan.

Violation of Urbanisation Policy -- National Urbanisation Policy (NUP) provides two hectares of public open space for every 1,000 persons which is 20 square metres per person. Instead the Draft Plan arbitrarily sets 11 square metres per person of which it states 23 percent is to be comprised of privately owned open space. Environmentally sensitive areas should be considered and green areas established as buffer zones to limit urban development under the NUP. The Draft Plan ignores this by permitting development in green areas including hills and steep hill-slopes in areas such as Bukit Gaisng, Medan Damansara and Federal Hill.

Inconsistent with Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 -- Although the Draft Plan is supposed to be based on the KL Structure Plan released in 2000, there are several glaring inconsistencies.

Ongoing application for development -- Although the Draft Plan is being tabled for feedback and comments, we see advertisements almost daily in the newspapers for development orders requesting for land use changes and large scale increase in densities.

Incomplete information and poor quality of planning -- The Plan is not really a local plan -- no rationale has been given for proposed changes in the Draft Plan. The before-and-after situation is also not provided. Some changes in the Draft Plan have been justified by the statement that those applications were "pre-approved". This is a white wash of the local planning process.

Unrealistic Plan for connectivity and accessibility -- The Draft Plan has made several unrealistic assumptions for the overall transport system in Kuala Lumpur. It overemphasises the use of the light rail transit (LRT) system, and is largely silent on the other critical modes of transport such as buses, taxi, rail and monorail.

i give a smile to the Mayor ;)

Chinese chamber to hold forum on KL draft plan

KUALA LUMPUR: The Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor is inviting the public to discuss the Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020 in detail on Saturday.

The forum is to gather views and suggestions for submission to City Hall before the end of next month.

"Our intention is to help City Hall come up with a plan to turn the city into a world-class city by 2020," said its vice-president Datuk David Chua.

Chua, who is also the head of the draft plan's working committee, said the business community was concerned about the proposals in the draft plan.


He said since the day the draft plan was made public, the association had received inquiries on the increase of population density and on public transportation.

"We also received inquiries from business owners who wanted to understand more about the development plans as their areas are marked under the heritage zone."

The public forum will be held in English and Mandarin at the seminar room, 7th floor, Wisma Chinese Chamber, 258, Jalan Ampang.

Call 03-42532135 for more information.

Mayor upset with CSKL
Noel Achariam

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2283553/insidepix1
Ab Hakim Borhan (sixth from left) at the meet-the-press session at the DBKL office yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall yesterday blasted the Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur (CSKL) for objecting to new development in the city.


How can KL be a world class city if development is stopped, says the mayor


http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2283553/insidepix2?display=xsmall
KL Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said their objections were hindering development in the city. "How can Kuala Lumpur be a world-class city if they object to development?" he asked

On Tuesday, CSKL had written to the mayor asking him to explain the on-going applications and award of projects in the city although the draft plan has yet to be gazetted.

CSKL had said that there were still advertisements almost daily in the newspapers for development orders requesting for land use changes and large-scale increase in densities.


Responding to the letter, Hakim said that there would be chaos if City Hall stopped all development in the city.

"We can't delay any projects if we hope to make Kuala Lumpur a world-class city by 2020. All government projects and projects involving foreign investors that has been approved by the government has to proceed according to schedule.

"Kuala Lumpur as the main gateway to Malaysia has to function to cater to the needs of the nation," he said.

"CSKL has to accept the fact that if the projects are stopped the economy will collapse," adding that there are about 6,000 applications a year for various projects in the city.

Hakim said interim steps have been taken to ensure that developers abide by the city guidelines. "City Hall will screen all new developers to ensure that they abide by the guidelines in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020. All new developments must be in-line with the respective land zones stated in the Draft Plan," he said.

CSKL had sent an objection letter last week to the prime minister, Federal Territories ministries and City Hall declaring the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 was full of flaws and contravened many Acts and laws. The coalition, comprising 26 residents' associations, non-governmental organisations and other concerned parties, had also listed down a series of objections to the draft plan.

CSKL president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman had said they would take City Hall to court if City Hall proceeds with the plan. The coalition wants City Hall and the Federal Territories Ministry to withdraw the Draft Plan. "We have already written to the prime minister and we are waiting for a reply. We believe that our arguments are valid and if there is no response within two weeks, we will seek help from the Members of Parliament in Kuala Lumpur. If that does not produce any result, we will stage a peaceful demonstration. The final course will be legal action," he said.

The mayor had said in a meet-the-press session at City Hall on Wednesday that he had sent a letter responding to CSKL's objections and demands on the Draft Plan. When contacted, the CSKL president said he had yet to receive a letter from the mayor.

PAM sifatkan KLCP 2020 komprehensif

KUALA LUMPUR Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (PAM) menyifatkan Draf Pelan Bandar raya Kuala Lumpur (KLCP) 2020 yang kini sedang dipamerkan kepada umum sebagai komprehensif.Malah, Presidennya, Lee Chor Wah secara peribadi kagum dengan draf pelan tersebut selepas mendengar sendiri taklimat daripada perunding DBKL, Norliza Hashim.

Beliau berkata, PAM mengucapkan tahniah atas kejayaan DBKL melaksanakan tugas yang besar itu dan berjaya menghasilkan satu pelan yang baik dan menyeluruh khususnya berkaitan kawasan hijau.

Katanya, apa yang utama selepas pelan itu diwartakan ialah memastikan pelaksanaannya dilakukan secara telus dengan menggalakkan warga kota memantau setiap usaha yang dilaksanakan.

"Sebelum ini, ia terpulang kepada Datuk Bandar dengan dibantu oleh pihak perancang bandar untuk meminda atau memutuskan sesuatu perkara dalam merencanakan pembangunan," katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini semalam.

Chor Wah berkata, KLCP 2020 juga dilihat mampu menjadikan ibu negara sebagai tempat yang selesa untuk didiami dan bekerja serta mampu menjadikannya sebuah bandar raya yang hebat.

Katanya, bagi membantu DBKL, PAM turut menubuhkan sebuah pasukan petugas untuk mengkaji draf pelan itu dan akan memberikan maklum balas yang konstruktif.

"Memang ada beberapa cadangan diberikan semasa sesi taklimat baru-baru ini tetapi kita akan kaji pelan itu supaya cadangan yang lebih terperinci dapat diberikan kepada DBKL," katanya.

Katanya, PAM juga gembira untuk diundang dalam Lembaga Penasihat dan Pendengaran Awam yang akan mengkaji semua cadangan yang diterima.

Sebelum ini, Gabungan Untuk Selamatkan Kuala Lumpur (CSKL) menggesa DBKL menangguhkan langkah meluluskan KCLP 2020 kerana didakwa mengabaikan beberapa perkara asas.

Pengerusinya, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman berkata, draf itu juga didakwa melanggar beberapa undang-undang sedia ada dan tidak mendapat persetujuan penduduk.

Selain itu, katanya, KLCP 2020 juga melanggar dari segi perundangan dan moral Pelan Struktur Kuala Lumpur yang diluluskan pada tahun 2004 khususnya berhubung kawasan perumahan dan institusi.

Approval for projects continues
By BAVANI M


THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will not stop accepting, processing and approving applications for new development projects although the public objection period on the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 has not expired and the draft plan has not been finalised and approved yet.

According to the DBKL town planning director Mahadi Che Ngah, even though the draft plan is at its objection stage, it does not mean that the City Hall has to stop accepting and processing applications for new developments.


Mahadi: ‘Since the draft plan is still at its planning stage, there should be no freeze on development’
Mahadi said the draft plan was prepared as per the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982, but the law was silent on the time frame on when it would take effect.

“Neither does it say that the mayor cannot receive or approve any application for development during the objection stage,” he said.

“Since the draft plan is still at its planning stage, there should be no freeze on development,” Mahadi said.

He was responding to one of the nine objections put forward by the Coalition To Save Kuala Lumpur (CSKL) against the draft plan.

The CSKL had questioned the ongoing acceptance and approval of applications for developments by the DBKL although the draft plan was only at its objection stage.

CSKL chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman has demanded that the DBKL freeze all development applications until the draft plan has been reviewed, revised and approved.

Mahadi said, however, that until the city plan was finalised, approved and gazetted, the DBKL would implement several interim measures when dealing with applications for new developments.

According to Mahadi, the interim measures include considering applications that follow the land use and density requirements as per the draft plan.

He said that development plans found to be in conflict with the draft plan would not be approved.

However, development projects already approved before the draft plan was made public will not be revoked.

Mahadi pointed out that the DBKL could not simply put a stop to major developments involving foreign investments approved earlier by the federal government.

Meanwhile, KL mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said at the weekly DBKL meet-the-press session that he had sent a letter to the CSKL explaining the DBKL stand on the matter.

When contacted, Aziz said that he had yet to receive the mayor’s letter.

Expert evaluates the plan for Wangsa Maju-Maluri zone
By FAZLEENA AZIZ


A MAJOR feature of the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 is the sustainable land use for future development and growth of the city.

The plan states that the pattern of land use, location, mix and intensity is a critical component of the city’s character and structure.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/8/central/m_02pratap.jpg
Pratap: A world-class city is not projected by the amount of commercial floor space.
It states that there should be sufficient land for residential, commercial, industrial and public use.

However, the plan also states that the changes in the market forces coupled with environmental and climatic concerns require new and integrated approaches to land use planning and spatial developments.

StarMetro did a case study and interviewed a town planning and environmental expert about the sustainable land use for the Wangsa Maju-Maluri zone, which will see an increase in terms of areas marked for residential purposes.

For the Wangsa Maju-Maluri zone, 358.57ha will be dedicated for housing from the 468.75ha of total land requirement in 2020.

This is followed by 83.94ha for use of commercial facilities, 19.79ha for industry and 6.44ha for commercial purposes.

A major concern raised by experts is on the increase of population to 443,712 for the year 2020 with a density of 9,525 people per sq km.

With such highly dense areas like Wangsa Maju, Maluri, Desa Pandan, Pandan, Datuk Keramat, Gombak, Danau Kota and Setapak already in existence, should there be more people coming to live in the zone?

StarMetro spoke to town planning and environmental expert Pratap Chandran Gopinath recently and asked him to give his expertise opinion on the matter.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/8/central/m_02highrise.jpg
Housing plans: New high-rise residential projects already being developed in Taman Melati.

According to Pratap, sustainable land use involves using the land economically for the target period without compromising the needs of the future generation.

“This means not allowing development in sensitive environmental zones, having a balanced density and providing and catering for the community needs,” he said.

“By including the density in the area, the immediate impact is the additional traffic vehicular movements in the area, which will lead to lowering the environmental qualities,” Pratap said.

He said there would be additional demand by the community for utility requirements such as safe drinking water and solid waste disposal sites, infrastructure requirements mainly road widening programmes to accommodate the additional vehicular traffic as well as social facilities like schools, hospitals and places of worship.

“If we make comparisons with the other world-class cities, in particular Berlin, sustainable land use is practised with minimal impact to the environment and to the quality of life,” Pratap said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/8/central/m_02wangsamaju.jpg
Looking down: A bird's eye view of the already congested Wangsa Maju area.

“The question is what they try to achieve -- a world-class city with high density that will add more congestion to the existing traffic and degrading whatever remaining green environment we have,” he said.

On transportation, the draft shows 11 new lines for KL and the Wangsa Maju-Maluri zone will have at least four new lines crossing over.

The question is not about the new lines but the reliability of the public transportation system, which most people complained had failed to live up to their expectations.

According to Pratap, the LRT lines are vital for the city to function but he expresses doubt on whether communication with relevant authorities has been conducted by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

“If we evaluate the LRT corridor more closely and carefully, we may pick up some of the daft mistakes like having the routing on 50ft- wide roads that will prevent existing road users to use the current access ways as well as the requirements for the station halts and parking areas for the ‘park & ride’ concept,” he said.

Two pieces of hillside land – Bukit Batu Tabur and Bukit Dinding – come under the environmental protection zone (SPZ1) of the plan.

However, they have been marked as potential areas for development of residential projects.

“As an environmental protective zone isn’t this a conflict with its own recommendation? This zone should be preserved for the future generation as it is a green area left within the place,” Pratap said.

In terms of commercialisation, some people have suggested that instead of building blocks of buildings, which may not be occupied, the land could be used for other purposes.

“The area has sufficient commercial zones, namely the Jaya Jusco centre, the Carrefour and other neighbourhood centres,” Pratap said.

“A world-class city is not projected by the amount of commercial floor space but on the quality of life of the residents,” he said.

“The city plan does not specifically break down the population data by zones, meaning it has only classified broad zones like the Wangsa Maju-Maluri zone,” Pratap said.

“The authorities should have gone into more details like projected population, the projected demands by land use categories and community requirements,” he said.

“Other flaws include the absence of residents participation before formulating the land use zonings,” he said.

Asked on the feasibility of the plan with the facts and figures presented in it coming in line with sustainable land use in the Wangsa Maju-Maluri zone zone, Pratap expressed doubts on whether it could be fully implementated by 2020.

Residents told to decide on future of Kampung Baru
By CHRISTINA LOW


RESIDENTS of Kampung Baru were told to decide the future of their birth place and family- owned land as several development plans have been slated for the site in the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan (KLCP) 2020.

“You can either choose to accept it fully, partially or object to it completely because this is your birth place and you are the land owners,'' said Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo' Lo' Mohd Ghazali during a forum hosted by her service centre recently on the draft KLCP 2020.

Lo’Lo was with representatives from Kampung Baru Development Association, Malay Agriculture Settlement as well as lawyers.

A committee specialising in the draft KLCP 2020 from her service centre briefed and highlighted several issues and key areas in the plan to the residents.

The 150 residents who attended had mixed feelings towards the draft KLCP 2020. Some objected partially while others objected to it completely, saying that DBKL did not get the residents involved in preparing the draft plan.

“I am saddened that the residents were not involved at all in the planning of the draft KLCP 2020. DBKL should have invited them and listened to their views,” said Lo’Lo.

Kampng Baru has more than 14,000 residents with 12 villages, a majority of which are under the MAS land area which is administered by MAS Admi-nistrative Board.

Deadline for submission of objection forms is Aug 31.

Those in Kampung Baru who wish to submit the forms via the Titiwangsa MP’s office can call 03-2698 0025 for details.

Demands of the city poor
K. Harinderan

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Tuesday/Stories/2287723/insidepix1
Residents of Pekeliling flats expressing disappointment with the KL Draft Plan 2020 at the forum on ‘Urgent Housing and Land Issues of the Urban Poor’ in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: First it was non-governmental organisations and residents' associations. Now the poor are coming out with a list of demands over the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020.

Fifty representatives of nine urban poor communities produced a what-they-want list at a meeting on "Urgent Housing and Land Issues of the Urban Poor in Kuala Lumpur" organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory Community Association (Permas) recently.

Their concerns are with the problems of land and housing for the poor in the city.

Representatives of various squatter areas, longhouse settlements and low-cost flats gave their views on, and grievances with, the Kuala Lumpur draft plan.


They want City Hall and the Federal Territory Ministry to:

l Stop all pending evictions especially in cases where the Emergency Ordinance was used to evict urban settlers from squatter areas, longhouses and low-cost flats.

l Build more homes costing around RM35,000 each.

l Abolish second-time relocation, as many have been moved more than once from temporary longhouses to community relocation schemes, and from flats to permanent low-cost houses.

l Replace house for house and land for land.

l Offer adequate compensation on relocation or eviction.

l Provide low-cost houses that are suitable to people's needs in terms of size, quality and design.

l Consult with, and heed the voice of, the public on plans and decisions concerning alternative housing.

Permas president Tan Jo Hann said: "The important aspect for urban poor communities is their future: where they will be relocated, what offers and compensations they will get and what are the set terms and conditions.

"The KL Draft Plan 2020 is complicated, filled with technical jargon and charts. After consulting several town planners and technical experts, we found that it does not have clear explanations of strategies on adequate housing and land for the urban poor."

The demands will be incorporated into a memorandum to the Federal Territory Minister and the various Kuala Lumpur MPs.

Community representatives from the Jinjang Utara longhouse (Region A to D), the Kampung Chubadak Tambahan squatter area, the Seri Segambut longhouse, the Pekeliling low-cost flats, Lembah Pantai urban settlers, and Kampung KTM Sentul were given the opportunity to speak on the living conditions in their areas.

They were also joined by various NGOs like Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas and Empower.

Rizalhakim,great finds but could you possibly put a footnotes(eg NST,TheStar,Utusan) to tell which newspapers they come from.Thanx:)

i've seen the draft for kampung baru. and the main draft especially regarding on heritage eclave. the only problem which i really hope Mayor and his committee could reconsider are; the Pudu Jail redevelopment and Federal Hill development. those 2 areas MUST be preserved as it is important as part of the history of Kuala Lumpur.

the kampung baru plan is good too. kampung baru is not all nice, many part of it filled with rustic and dirty houses which has no any historical value. but hopefully since the area is malay reserved, the future business premises should be an all-Bumiputera

we shall not sacrifice our heritage just for the sake of those greedy developers. :ohno:

Demands of the city poor
K. Harinderan

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Tuesday/Stories/2287723/insidepix1
Residents of Pekeliling flats expressing disappointment with the KL Draft Plan 2020 at the forum on ‘Urgent Housing and Land Issues of the Urban Poor’ in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: First it was non-governmental organisations and residents' associations. Now the poor are coming out with a list of demands over the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020.

Fifty representatives of nine urban poor communities produced a what-they-want list at a meeting on "Urgent Housing and Land Issues of the Urban Poor in Kuala Lumpur" organised by the Selangor and Federal Territory Community Association (Permas) recently.

Their concerns are with the problems of land and housing for the poor in the city.

Representatives of various squatter areas, longhouse settlements and low-cost flats gave their views on, and grievances with, the Kuala Lumpur draft plan.


They want City Hall and the Federal Territory Ministry to:

l Stop all pending evictions especially in cases where the Emergency Ordinance was used to evict urban settlers from squatter areas, longhouses and low-cost flats.

l Build more homes costing around RM35,000 each.

l Abolish second-time relocation, as many have been moved more than once from temporary longhouses to community relocation schemes, and from flats to permanent low-cost houses.

l Replace house for house and land for land.

l Offer adequate compensation on relocation or eviction.

l Provide low-cost houses that are suitable to people's needs in terms of size, quality and design.

l Consult with, and heed the voice of, the public on plans and decisions concerning alternative housing.

Permas president Tan Jo Hann said: "The important aspect for urban poor communities is their future: where they will be relocated, what offers and compensations they will get and what are the set terms and conditions.

"The KL Draft Plan 2020 is complicated, filled with technical jargon and charts. After consulting several town planners and technical experts, we found that it does not have clear explanations of strategies on adequate housing and land for the urban poor."

The demands will be incorporated into a memorandum to the Federal Territory Minister and the various Kuala Lumpur MPs.

Community representatives from the Jinjang Utara longhouse (Region A to D), the Kampung Chubadak Tambahan squatter area, the Seri Segambut longhouse, the Pekeliling low-cost flats, Lembah Pantai urban settlers, and Kampung KTM Sentul were given the opportunity to speak on the living conditions in their areas.

They were also joined by various NGOs like Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas and Empower.

all their demands in paper are nice too see and good to hear. but the problem is...why the hell those people in Flat Pekeliling still not avacuate for those house? damn, life is too short to be wasted by living in such 'haunted' flat!!

btw, we should keep one tower of Flat pekeliling as part of KL history. being the first urban public housing, the building has to be saved. we can learn form Singapore Tiong Baru flat rehabilitation project...(our flat is much higher then the Tiong baru one).

KL Draft local plan must be read in totality, says town planner
BY BAVANI M


ONE of the most important concerns of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 is the issue of density. Since the draft went public on May 15, it has come under criticism from Kuala Lumpur residents with regard to the part where the plan envisions a population increase from 1.6 million today to 2.2 million by 2020.

This got many KL-ites riled up as that would mean that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would be forced to make controversial compromises, such as intensifying development and sacrificing open spaces, to accommodate another 600,000 residents in KL in 12 years.


Tan Ching Meng
The draft plan also snubs some key policies of the National Physical Plan (NPP) and seeks to increase density requirement at 25 people per hectare in Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding conurbation that includes Seremban, Putrajaya and parts of Selangor.

This information has generated two conflicting views – one party believes that density increases beyond sustainable limits would result in a city that would inadvertently fall into decay and result in poor quality living, while the other party believes that in order for a city to become vibrant and prosperous, its population must grow and compromises must be made for it to become sustainable.

The Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 as a Road Map Towards A Sustainable World Class City roundtable discussion organised by Rehda Kuala Lumpur branch presents the latter viewpoint – that for a city to become sustainable, it must be redesigned.

Town planner Khairiah Mohd Talha said the world was faced with challenges like climate changes, high-energy crisis and food shortages, hence cities, too, needed to be redesigned to move with these changes.

“We cannot allow our cities to grow without human interference, hence cities need to be redesigned to meet these changes in order for them to reach sustainable limits,” she said, adding that cities were engines of growth and huge migration of people.


Khairiah Mohd Talha
According to Khairiah, the draft local plan is a comprehensive plan that touches on land use and land management and must be read in totality as it touches on economic prosperity, social equity and environmental integrity.

Khairiah cited Singapore as an example of a city that had a much higher density than Kuala Lumpur yet had managed to achieve a beautiful and sustainable environment for its residents.

Architect David Mizan Hashim agreed with Khairiah, to the extent that for a city to be great, there must be intense intervention and re-planning, otherwise these cities would slowly evolve into chaos.

David said the increase in density and plot ratio as espoused in the Draft City Plan was a necessity and he endorsed the plan as it promoted transparency and good governance.

“It tells people what can and cannot be done and everyone knows what's going to happen,” he said.

David stressed that there must also be enough parks and green spaces as each great city had its own parks.

“We also need to increase infrastructure and come up with a workable urban transportation system – we have not made any headway in that respect at all,” he said.

David added that there was a need to improve on the simple things in life, such as coming up with a proper waste management system, having street furniture, security features, urban revitalisation, and providing suitable housing for the lower-income group and introducing a disaster management programme.

“KL has potential to reach that level and we are certainly on the right track,” he said.


David Mizan Hashim
Real Estate and Housing Developer's Association KL branch secretary Tan Ching Meng said funding was needed to manage a city and that one could not have low density and a vibrant city at the same time.

“Funds are needed for the economy to flourish and the Malaysia My Second Home programme is a perfect platform to spur the economy,” said Tan.

Tan said for that to happen, KL must move with the times and must undergo a rejuvenation process.

He cited old government offices and Brownfield (old) areas in the city as examples for rejuvenation to meet the demand for more green and open areas in the city.

From the roundtable discussions, it is clear that a balance needs to be struck between the interests of the residents, developers and business owners who are not only the ratepayers but also the real stakeholders of the city and compromises must be made with regard to the Draft City Plan and the future of Kuala Lumpur.

Perhaps one could take comfort from the words of DBKL's master plan director, Zainab Mohd Ghazali, who said: “We will tackle all feedback from the community in a fair and just manner,” and ponder over the meaning behind the cliché “the only constant in life is change”

KL needs high density to flourish
By YIP YOKE TENG and JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ



Roundtable discussion: Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020

KUALA Lumpur must have a high density if it wants to continue flourishing and become a world-class city. This was the message brought across at a roundtable discussion organised by the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia (Rehda).

As such, intervention in urban development is timely and necessary to cater for the unavoidable population growth and the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 is doing just that.

The roundtable discussion, entitled Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 as a roadmap towards a sustainable world class city, held yesterday at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, gave some fresh viewpoints.

The panel comprised representatives of the Malaysia Institute of Planners (MIP), Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM), Rehda, transport management consultants, planning consultants and Kuala Lumpur City Hall department heads.

Rehda Federal Territory (Kuala Lumpur) branch chairman Datuk Michael Yam and Rehda immediate past president Datuk Jeffrey Ng were the moderators.

The panellists, having tabled views and suggestions in line with their expertise, recognised that the plan was the way forward even though there were areas to be further revised and improved.

Malaysia Institute of Planners council member Khairiah Mohd Talha

Khairiah shared that the 3E – Economic prosperity, social Equality and Environmental integrity – were the basis adopted by the city plan to ensure sustainability.

The main aim of the plan is to give a good quality of life to the people living in a compact environment, which is the case in major cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore where densities are much higher.

“The capital is the engine of growth for the country and we cannot deny the huge migration of people into the city. In fact, many cities lure the people back into the city by providing housing and infrastructure. This keeps it vibrant and cuts down on traffic congestion resulting from people travelling in and out of the city,” she said.

As such, the city plan is vital to mould strategic developments through addressing all relevant issues, such as public transport, employment and solid waste management.

Architect David Mizan Hashim from Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd

The KL City Plan's population growth projection from the current 1.6 million to 2.2 million was a conservative estimate, said David Mizan.

“It was projected during a recent conference in Singapore that Asian cities will grow at the rate of 100,000 people a day, whereas our projection for KL is only an increase of 150 a day,” he pointed out.

He said great cities around the world required intense re-planning or the cities would erode into chaos that might generate an angry response from unhappy residents, so the draft plan was undoubtedly in the correct direction.

He added that intense development through enforced plot ratios would be the solution to retain green space and to save energy, as exemplified by Los Angeles.

However, David Mizan did highlight that a massive change of paradigm was necessary to address the possible lack of public infrastructure such as multi-modal public transport, waste treatment, bicycle lanes and security system.

Housing for the less privileged, disaster management, urban identity and flexibility are some other aspects the city plan's implementers should look into.

Transport management consultant Goh Bok Yen from Mag Technical and Development Consultants Sdn Bhd

KL needs a multi-modal transport system to achieve its world-class status, not one with great rails but leaves commuters stranded at the stations, Goh emphasised.

He said measures had to be taken now to ease movements within KL, keeping in mind that the easy availability of vehicles was also a hindrance.

“Existing facilities like buses and taxis should have been fully utilised to complement the rail system, but they are going in different directions,” he said.

He highlighted the need to look at various alternatives, and suggested setting up an urban rapid transit system to facilitate movement within the city as well as having retired residents to operate feeder services from housing estates to rail stations.

DBKL's masterplan director Zainab Mohd Ghazali

Zainab reiterated that all the views raised by KL denizens would be tabled to the Public Opinion Hearing Committee that consists of 21 members, including academicians, planners, engineers and NGOs.

So far, there had been 200 views and they can be read on the official KLCP2008 website.

“It's a plan for everybody, all must contribute to the plan. We want to have a good plan, there's no point for DBKL to quickly gazette it,” she said.

Transportation was again highlighted during the Q&A segment. Zainab assured attendees that even though it did not fall under DBKL's control, the government was taking it seriously and hence the setting up of the National Infrastructure Committee.

It was learned that public transport was now managed by four ministries and 18 agencies.

On comments that the draft plan had neglected other modes of transport, Zainab said the draft plan did not specify that KL would solely depend on the LRT and that it did not include the details because they had been mentioned in the KL Structure Plan.

Regroup Associates executive chairman Christopher Boyd

Regroup Associates executive chairman Christopher Boyd said the draft plan should consider the young people in the city as Malaysia was a young country and half the population were under 27 years old.

Referring to the expensive luxury apartments in the city especially those around the Suria KLCC, Boyd said planning was crucial to have some affordable and nice looking housing for the young working class who had just come to the city.

“It is also a great opportunity for Rehda to work with the DBKL on the matter.

“Currently most of the 4000 very expensive apartments are taken up by the expatriates or those who can afford those.

“The city should consider its young people and offer nice apartments within a certain package affordable to first hand buyers without it being low cost.

“This is to allow them to be able to live, work and enjoy the city. They don't want to be working in the city and living because mom and dad probably have done that,” said Boyd.

Ahmad Jefri Clyde from AJC Planning Consultants

Ahmad Jefri Clyde from AJC Planning Consultants raised another point where the city hall could acquire land instead of just giving them out.

Using the Brisbane city hall as an example, Clyde said the city hall could buy lands and keep them as parks to create balance to all the approved developments.

With regards to the draft plan, Clyde said the understanding of the bigger issue was very difficult for the general public to grasp.

He said Kuala lumpur was part of much larger urban area and the National Physical Plan recognised this.

He added the Kuala Lumpur conurbation was not going to be all centred in the city but also included its surrounding areas such as Subang, Petaling Jaya and Sepang.

“The population increase from the current 1.6mil to 2.2mil is just a target. It is up to the city how to achieve it,” he said.

Rehda Kuala Lumpur secretary Tan Ching Meng

Rehda Kuala Lumpur secretary Tan Ching Meng's opinion on the draft plan was self-explanatory.

He said the draft plan should follow a single objective and that was towards achieving its economic prosperity through a sustainable approach for a sustainable world-class city.

He said the population in the city should grow as that will help Kuala Lumpur sustain itself as a city.

“Assuming there are no economical activities and growth in the people who come to work in the city, how are we going to maintain the city? If that is the case, the city will die as there will be no funds to maintain the many causes of the city,” he said.

Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Lee Chor Wah

Meanwhile the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) president Lee Chor Wah said the draft plan should concern the qualitative aspect more than the quantitative aspect of things.

“It should encourage good quality buildings, focusing on good designs in general that last for a long time,” he said.

Rohayah Abd Karim from DBKL's legal affairs department

Rohayah Abd Karim from DBKL's legal affairs department said as far as the DBKL was concerned, they have followed closely with all the procedures that were required to come up with the plan.

“We have also spoken to many focus groups and taken the input of community leaders before the draft plan was tabled for public hearing,” she said.

BB folks object to open space plan


LANDOWNERS and residents living along Jalan Beremi (Lot 751) in Bukit Bintang are objecting to proposals in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, which has marked the area as Public Open space.

Normally residents would be jumping for joy when space is left for greening in any neighbourhood but the residents are not too pleased as the land belongs to them and they were not informed about the plan by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

“Our lots are located on freehold land and are designated mixed residential and commercial and hence we are against City Hall's plans to turn the place into a public open space,'' said resident K.K. Kwan.

Kwan said the existing park in front of his home is adequate and falls within the definition of local play area whereby open spaces located in residential areas or in urban commercial centres within walking distance of users is secured from developments through development control mechanisms.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/7/24/central/m_pg04fong.jpg
Common stand: Fong (second from right) with residents from Jalan Beremi in Bukit Bintang who filed their objections to the draft KL City Plan 2020.

“The park is more than adequate for the use of residents within a 500m radius. It is not overflowing with residents and visitors that it needs to be urgently enlarged,'' he said.

Residents said that apart from them, drug addicts also frequent the park at night and they believe that by enlarging the park it will only create a much bigger social problem in the neighbourhood.

Resident Katherine Lim said that by acquiring their lots to enlarge an existing park would not contribute to the green lung effect for the community nor for the city landscape.

“There are other vacant plots of land in the neighbourhood. If there is a genuine need for a larger open area or green lung, City Hall should make use of this area instead and not pick on us,'' she told Star Metro after filing her objections at the lobby of City Hall headquarters yesterday.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun accompanied Lim and several other residents.

Fong said the lots in Jalan Beremi were freehold and it was unfair to reclassify the area as open space.

“It is too close to the commercial centre for it to be turned into an open space,'' he said.

“Besides, there was never a pre-consultative process with the residents as per the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 '' Fong said.

City residents have until Aug 31 to file their objections.

The one and only part of bukit bintang that needs dbkl action is jalan alor!!!

jln alor and vicinity have so much potential - they could turn the area into modern lofts and a pedestrian mall selling local curios and renowned brands IMO

That what i thought too but as the years go by it seem to be getting worse totally out of control. Its almost like petaling street 2 . So much potential!!

Warga Kampung Baru minta dialog sekali lagi
Oleh Khairunnisa Kamarudin
khairunnisa@bharian.com.my

http://www.bharian.com.my/Thursday/Wilayah/20080724091517/mainpix
PENJELASAN: Razak (kiri) meluahkan pandangan beliau pada sesi soal jawab selepas pembentangan Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur 2020 oleh Nur Azizi di Dewan DBKL, semalam. - Bernama



Syor letak buku DPBKL 2020 di lokasi tumpuan ramai

KUALA LUMPUR: Penduduk Kampung Baru, di sini, meminta Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) mengadakan pertemuan semula dengan penduduk berhubung cadangan pembangunan di kawasan itu kerana pertemuan yang diadakan kelmarin masih belum menjawab banyak persoalan yang diajukan.

Penduduk juga mendakwa mereka masih kabur dengan dengan penjelasan yang diberikan pada sesi taklimat Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur 2020 (DPBKL 2020).


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Timbalan Yang Dipertua Pasar Minggu Kampung Baru, Mohd Nazri Abdul Hamid, berkata penjelasan yang diberikan pada sesi taklimat itu tidak menyeluruh dan sukar difahami kebanyakan penduduk yang hadir.

"Saya rasa DBKL harus mengadakan sesi seminar dan menyediakan penerangan terperinci mengenai pembangunan yang bakal dijalankan bagi mengelakkan kekeliruan seperti yang berlaku pada sesi ini.

"Apa yang penting, pegawai yang ada perlu menjawab soalan berkaitan isu pembangunan di kawasan kami dengan lebih mendalam. Sesi kali ini pada saya gagal mencapai objektifnya dalam menerangkan mengenai draf itu secara mendalam kepada mereka yang hadir," katanya.


KUSYUK: Warga emas Kampung Baru yang hadir pada majlis pembentangan Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur 2020.


Kira-kira 250 penduduk, penjaja dan peniaga di sekitar Kampung Baru menghadiri sesi itu yang dipengerusikan Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Pelan Induk DBKL, Nur Azizi Mokhtar.

Sesi itu hangat dengan pelbagai soalan berkaitan isu pembangunan Kampung Baru kerana mereka yang hadir tidak berpuas hati dengan pengurusan DBKL yang disifatkan tidak mementingkan keperluan penduduk selain isu berkaitan harga tanah.

Selain itu mereka juga tidak berpuas hati dengan sesi soal jawab yang tidak memberikan penjelasan sepenuhnya kepada setiap soalan yang dikemukakan serta kegagalan DBKL menyediakan naskhah DPBKL 2020 secara percuma bagi tujuan rujukan.

Penduduk, Razak Karim, 57 berkata, beliau berharap DBKL dapat menyediakan buku DPBKL 2020 untuk diletakkan di kawasan strategik seperti di balai raya bagi memudahkan penduduk memahami projek yang bakal dijalankan.

"Buku berkenaan sangat mahal dan DBKL sepatutnya memberikan naskhah percuma supaya penduduk dapat penjelasan terperinci mengenai sesuatu projek yang akan dijalankan.

"Saya masih kabur dengan penjelasan yang diberikan DBKL dalam taklimat ini kerana kami tidak diberikan sebarang kertas kerja atau pelan seperti yang terkandung di dalam buku DPBKL 2020 itu," katanya.

Sementara itu Ketua Pengarah Eksekutif BIG Property Consultant Sdn Bhd, jururunding yang dilantik bagi merangka pelan pembangunan Kampung Baru, Prof Datuk Nik Mohd Zain Nik Yusof, berkata masalah utama yang dihadapi dalam pembangunan Kampung Baru adalah mendapatkan persetujuan pemilik sekiranya tanah diambil menerusi kaedah biasa untuk dibangunkan.

Katanya, sebagai contoh ada lot tanah yang mempunyai 90 penama dengan sembilan orang sudah meninggal dunia.

"Kalau ikut cara biasa kita kena jumpa satu demi satu pemilik ini untuk dapatkan persetujuan termasuk waris kepada pemilik yang telah meninggal dunia," katanya.

Nik Mohd Zain berkata, sebagai langkah terakhir, pihak berkuasa mungkin terpaksa menggunakan Seksyen 3 (1) (d) Akta Pengambilan Tanah 1960 di mana mengikut akta itu, pihak berkuasa boleh mengambil-alih tanah tanpa persetujuan pemilik.

"Mengikut akta itu, tanah yang diambil akan dibayar mengikut harga pasaran dan sekiranya pemilik tidak bersetuju kes boleh dirujuk ke Mahkamah Tinggi," katanya.

Nur Azizi bagaimanapun berkata, perkara itu sekadar cadangan daripada syarikat juru runding itu.

Katanya, cadangan pembangunan yang terdapat pada draf Pelan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur 2020 masih di peringkat bantahan awam dan orang ramai yang mempunyai pandangan atau bantahan masih boleh mengemukakannya secara bertulis kepada DBKL.

No more extension on draft plan objection period
By BAVANI M


THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will not extend the Aug 31 deadline for residents to submit their objections to the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said any request for an extension would not be entertained as the DBKL had already agreed to an earlier request to extend the June 30 deadline.

“There is still time for residents to submit their objections. It is not too late. We will help them to do so,’’ he said.

Hakim told reporters this at the DBKL staff appreciation award ceremony at the Titiwangsa Stadium on Sunday.

Hakim was responding to press reports made by Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo’ lo’ Mohd Ghazali, who said she would meet him to request for an extension on behalf of Kampung Baru residents.

Dr Lo’ lo’ had said during a meeting with Kampung Baru residents on Sunday that there were still many unresolved issues in the village and that the residents needed more time to study the plan before offering their objections.

On what he thought of the Selangor state government’s offer to help protect the rights and interests of landowners in Kampung Baru, Hakim said anyone was welcome to submit their views to the DBKL.

“We welcome any feedback from residents.

“In fact, we had just had a briefing with Kampung Baru folks and the response has been positive,’’ he said.

Hakim said he would be sending a team to help those who lived in the outskirts of the city to help them submit their objections if there were any.

About 815 DBKL staff members from various departments received achievement awards for excellent service.

Apart from getting certificates acknowledging their good work, the staff members also received cash awards.

Samy slams city plan

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Wednesday/Stories/2312778/insidepix1
Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu wants City Hall to provide accurate figures.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has taken City Hall to task over the draft of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020.

The MIC president pointed out that there are some major flaws in the draft plan that need to be rectified.

"The draft plan states that the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur has only about 160,000 Indians, which I find strange. We have some 80,000 registered voters in Kuala Lumpur," said Samy on Monday.

"If one family had two children, then we have to multiply 80,000 by four. The figure will stand at 320,000 Indians. This is only an estimate based on the registered voters. What about unregistered Malaysian Indians?


"Obviously there are some things that should be set straight before the draft becomes a policy," he said after attending a briefing on the draft plan by City Hall consultants at the MIC headquarters here.

He said the briefing, attended by MIC division heads and office bearers, had clarified several issues encountered by Indians living in the federal capital, which has about 2.5 million people.

"We have studied the draft plan. We would submit our own recommendations on the plan to City Hall.

"The issues raised included the squatter migration to low-cost flats, facilities at low-cost flats, future and existing Tamil schools and the fate of individual-owned land in Kuala Lumpur," he added.

The MIC chief also wanted City Hall to provide accurate figures and statistics concerning Malaysian Indians in the draft plan, so that those reading it could come to a fair and just conclusion and make appropriate recommendations.

"This plan charts the future of the city for the next 12 years. If we are not given proper facts and figures, then our recommendations would also be flawed.

"It would be better if Dewan Bandaraya tells us the exact figures and we work from there," he added.

The briefing was also attended by Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk M. Saravanan.

Prior to Samy's statement, non-governmental organisations and residents associations have also voiced their objection to the draft plan, which seeks to further develop the federal capital up to 2020.

The draft plan, which involved proposals for the development of an area covering 243 square kilometres in Kuala Lumpur until 2020, will be gazetted after City Hall has obtained feedback from the public. -- Bernama

Not that bad & not so good!

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Everytime I foud KL's river pix...it's always out-of-date!

Klang & Gombak River

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Saravanan blasts critics of KL plan
Regina Lee


PUTRAJAYA: After the endless barrage of criticism over the newly unveiled KL draft plan, deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan finally lost his cool.

"After all, it is not set in stone yet. That is why it is called a draft," he said.

"We present the draft to the people to get feedback. Of course all plans are not without holes. If we really didn't want feedback, we could have just called it a plan and launched it straightaway," he said, lashing out at the detractors.

"(The critics) cannot see the plan in any other context. They cannot see that we have a vision to make KL a world-class city by 2020.


"All they can see is that there's no space for places of worship and nit-pick on details," he said.

The draft plan came under fire since it was unveiled in May with various NGOs including religious groups and residents association up in arms against the policies.

The more common complaints against the draft plan are about public transportation network, housing for the poor and, most recently, the exclusion of Hindu temples and burial sites.

Saravanan also lambasted parties who try to "politicise the issue" through the media.

"If you want to air your views, just write to us. That is the proper process. You don't have to go to the media," he said, while stressing that he was not against freedom of expression.

He was speaking to reporters after the Achievement in Service Award Presentation to the ministry staff.

Two hundred and seventy-nine staff from City Hall, Labuan Corporation, Putrajaya Corporation and Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Land and Mines Office received awards and an incentive of RM1,000 each.

Saravanan said the government had the young in mind it came up with the plan.

"Nowadays, the young are getting smart. When they grow up and see that Kuala Lumpur is not as well-planned and developed as Melbourne or Tokyo, they'll turn around and accuse the government and wonder 'why isn't my city like this?'" he said.

Billion ringgit plan

KUALA LUMPUR: Setting up a council for hawkers and small traders and appealing for a billion ringgit to upgrade a hawkers' area by 2020.

That is the plan of the Federal Territories Ministry. Its minister, Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique, said the setting up of the council will ensure that the welfare of the hawkers, regardless of race and religion, is looked after.

Zulhasnan recently attending the congress for traders and small traders at Putra World Trade Centre.

The main objective of the inaugural congress was for hawkers and small traders to to be involved in active roles in economic development in the Federal Territories.


The congress was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Also present was Federal Territories Malay Hawkers and Small Traders Association president Bahrim Razak .

"The RM1 billion upgrading allocation for hawkers is needed to provide more comfortable roofed stalls by the road side for the hawkers.

"The hawkers need an image uplift as they also contribute to the nation's economy.

"The ministry and City Hall have identified 18,000 business lots for the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020. The 600 new spots for these hawkers will take up 144 hectares of land," he said.

Zulhasnan said there were 50,393 hawkers and small traders operating in the Federal Territories while 6,000 others were operating without licences last year.

He said a meeting was held among the association, City Hall and other agencies to discuss issues and the future of the hawkers and small traders.

City folks submit views on Kuala Lumpur plan
Tuesday August 26, 2008
By YIP YOKE TENG
TheStar

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/8/26/central/m_02draftplan.jpg

Presenting their views: Aziz (in jacket) leading the coalition’s
representatives as they make their way into the DBKL office

THE Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur has submitted a stack of public feedback forms on the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday.

Eight representatives of the coalition submitted the written objections and opinions to DBKL master plan department deputy director Nurazizi Mokhtar at the City Hall complex in Jalan Raja Laut.

According to the coalition’s legal adviser Derek Fernandez, a 12-page document, accompanying the written views and objections of 1,240 members from eight of the 36 residents associations registered with the coalition, reiterated the contention that the draft plan was fundamentally flawed.

The eight associations also submitted their own feedback forms highlighting the localised issues. The eight residents associations are from Federal Hill, Taman Duta, Pantai Panorama, Maxwell Condominiums and Frasers Condominiums of Bukit Gasing, Bukit Damansara, Bangsar Baru and Bukit Bandaraya.

The other residents associations will submit their written objections and views at a later date due to time constraints in compiling the data.

“The 12-page document is made up of two major parts — the general objection against the procedure in the preparation and the fundamental features of the draft plan, as well as proposals for specific areas,” Fernandez said.

“The plan is totally flawed and does not implement the policies of the National Physical Plan. It goes on a frolic on its own without due consideration for the capacity of the infrastructure to sustain the increase in density,” he said.

“The prime minister discovered first hand what the people have to put up with every day, but this plan pre-supposes an excellent public transport system,” he said.

Fernandez also highlighted the removal of green lungs drawn out in the plan, alleging that the plan was designed to suit individual interests rather than provide a better quality of life for the people of Kuala Lumpur.

According to coalition chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, the draft plan is illegal and in violation of the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 2001.

Aziz said the draft plan had failed to comply with Section 12A of the act because no proper pre-consultation was conducted with the public.

He said it was also inconsistent with Section 7 and Section 11A which required conducting a review of the draft plan for the purpose of implementing the National Physical Plan.

“Development should be spread across the Kuala Lumpur conurbation, not putting 2.2 million people in just the city centre without adequate infrastructure,” he said.

Aziz said the coalition was also concerned over the proposal to build 66 train stations in Kuala Lumpur.

“We are not against the proposal, but we want to make sure that the project is viable. It is estimated to cost RM400mil for each km of rail on the ground and RM500mil per km underground. Are there enough financial resources for that?” he asked.

According to Nurazizi, all feedback forms submitted through various means, including through the post and e-mails would be studied.

He said more than 500 feedback forms had been received by the DBKL so far.

The last day for submission of feedback forms is Aug 30.

Low or high-density housing for KL?
By Sharon Kam
Email us your feedback at fd@bizedge.com

KL city residents have until Aug 31 to submit feedback, objections and suggestions to Kuala Lumpur City Hall on the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020. Suggestions and feedback are vital to help our planners make informed decisions about the future of our city.
The focus of any city's masterplan should be on its growth, offers Datuk Alan Tong, a veteran in property development. A masterplan is to plan for the growth of a city in an orderly manner. If there is no growth or if we do not want growth, then there would be no need for a masterplan, says Tong, who is chairman of the Fiabci Asia-Pacific secretariat.
KL's population is now around 1.6 million and that will probably double in 20 years. With the population growing at an aggressive 4% a year, how can the city cope? Where will the population be housed?
There have been a number of objections lodged mainly by residents who are concerned about, among other issues, the density in the draft plan for the areas where they live. In the Draft City Plan, the density of persons per sq km in major areas such as the city centre, Damansara-Penchala and Bandar Tun Razak/Sg Besi have all been increased. Consequently, residents and non-governmental organisations have come out in the media to voice their protest.
What would the impact be if we should decide to go for low-density developments for KL city and in the process spread the population outside or away from the city?
Tong has this to say: "First of all, let's ask ourselves what kind of lifestyle we want to lead? Do we want to live 20 miles away from the city and travel to the city every day? Where are we going to house the future population? Send them further and further away from the city? What will happen to the roads leading to the city centre?
"We are already experiencing the consequences of travelling to work from where we live, some from as far away as Klang. During peak hours, all the highways would be jam-packed and the hours one spends on the roads travelling to and from work can be better utilised.
"One would also need to consider the price of fuel. Commuting in your car can become an even more expensive affair in the future besides contributing to greenhouse gases in the environment."
Tong notes that every few years, our roads and highways are being expanded but asks how much more expansion they can take. How many more flyovers can be built? "Can we imagine how our roads would look like in 10 years, what more with an average 500,000 vehicles being registered a year?"
When the population is spread out widely, he adds, it would be difficult to have an efficient public transport system. There is also the environmental factor. "Low-density developments means low-rises which means we would need to clear a wider plot of land to accommodate a smaller number of units than if it was a high-rise development. Even more land and forest has to be cleared," Tong reasons.
Considering future needs and growth, would high-density developments or high-rise developments be a more viable option for KL city in the long run? A high-density city can be an efficient and conducive one for its residents, says Tong, citing Hong Kong as an example. "Because it is an island where land is limited, the only way is up for their developments. In Hong Kong, the density is high, with 500 to 600 units per acre in certain areas. The only limit is the cost of construction.
"As land is scarce, every inch of land is used, including hill slopes, such as on Victoria Hill. They have to learn how to build on hill slopes. Their engineers have the expertise to build even 40-storey buildings on a slope. When you look out the window into the Hong Kong skyline, the view is beautiful because there are no limits to what they can build."
Tong says although people own cars there, they travel mainly via the MRT. The most efficient public transport is the MRT, which is the main mode of transport for any big city because it can take a high number of coaches and carry 2,000 to 3,000 passengers at one time, he notes. Tong feels it is not too late for KL to consider the MRT system, if we weigh it against the options or the lack of them, to cater for future growth.
Hong Kong does not have a choice as land is limited but this has become a "blessing" because it has turned the city into such an efficient and economical one today, says Tong, who also warns of potential problems with low-rises and landed properties in the future when it is time for redevelopment. "We have so many housing estates with landed homes but if you think of the future, 100 years from now, how are we going to redevelop the place since each property is individually owned?
"Malaysia should be prepared with solutions to such problems like in Singapore where there are en-bloc redevelopment schemes of public housing flats," he says.
Another consideration when planning for the city's future is to also keep in mind the greater KL — the suburbs surrounding KL whose residents come into KL every day to work and leave the city after that. Tong says this means that the local councils of the surrounding areas have to plan their local infrastructure and growth plans hand in hand, especially when it comes to infrastructure such as roads and transport systems.
Tong stresses the need to maintain our focus on growth at all times when it comes to planning for the city, unless we find that we do not need it. Even then, he says, we should have a plan to at least maintain its vibrancy and not regress or reverse its growth as it would not do well as a competitive city globally. It is not easy to retard KL city's growth either, because like all cities, it is the nucleus of business activities.

Sacrificing history for progress?
Sheila Sri Priya

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2326884/insidepix1
Vaithilingam addressing the temple issue that is worrying the Hindu community in the KL Draft Plan 2020.

KUALA LUMPUR: Another twist has emerged in the saga of the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020.

The Malaysian Hindu Sangam claims the draft plan is causing confusion as some land gazetted as religious sites are now marked as commercial land.

Its president Datuk A.Vaithilingam said this meant developers will now be able to demolish the temples to make way for commercial buildings.

"The Pudu and the Scott Road temples are historical landmarks that are also tourist attractions", he said.


He was speaking after a meeting with 70 temple committee members here recently.

The temple committee members were told to check if the areas on which their temples are located have remained gazetted as religious sites in the draft plan.

"We have about 20 days to highlight our objections. Much of the land on which the older famous temples in the city are built are not marked as religious sites," he said.

He also said that some of the areas that were earlier earmarked for the building of Hindu temples were not gazetted as commercial areas.

He urged temple committee members to step forward and submit their protests and suggestions to City hall before Aug 31.

He added: "Don't come to us when it is too late. Act now," he said.

Another problem highlighted was the Sri Muniswara Temple 2 in Puchong, which is presently being contructed on land that is gazzetted as a religious site.

He said City Hall now wants to stop the construction of the temple as the land is now under the Establishing Housing Area zone.

"The government has allocated this area for the temple. Why has that been changed?" asked Vaithilingam.

Many were also shocked to learn that the land on which Courthill Vinayagar Temple-Jalan Pudu and Sri Paranjothy Vinayagar Temple-Sentul stand were now re-designated as mixed-commercial and commercial land.

"Along Scott Road there are three temples that have not been labelled in the draft plan, and this is worrying us, " he said.

Temples included in draft KL plan
By PRIYA MENON


LEGITIMATE places of worship are definitely included in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

According to Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) master plan department director Zainab Mohd Ghazali, if the places of worship are on legitimate sites with approval, then they will automatically be included in the plan.

“A place of worship, such as a temple, has to be on specific land area and it should not be on curbs or at the side of the road because our plan is based on lots,” she said.

Zainab said that the places of worship were marked in the draft plan with symbols to make them easily identified.

“If some temple caretakers feel that their temples fulfil the legal requirements but have not been identified, then please let us know,” she said.

Zainab also said that feedback from the community was important to ensure that they can rectify problems and improve the draft plan.

According to Malaysian Hindu Sangam president Datuk A.Vaithilingam, the history of each temple has to be considered before declaring it illegal.

“If the DBKL feels that certain temples are not legitimate, then they should let the temple leaders know,” Vaithilingam said.

He said that the temples should also identify themselves to the DBKL, so as not to be left out of the city plan.

There has been concern that over 100 Hindu temples and two crematoriums were not included in the draft plan.

The concerns were raised by the Malaysian Hindu Sangam which has asked temple representatives to submit their objections on the draft plan.

According to Vaithilingam, among the Hindu temples not included in the draft plan are the Paranjothy Vinayagar temple in Jalan Ipoh and the Courthill Vinayagar Temple in Jalan Pudu.
.

All set for city plan powwow
Halim Said and K. Harinderan

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2333939/insidepix1
Wong Kim Mai (second left) with other residents after handing over a memorandum to Shaari Ahmad Junid, the special officer to the mayor, at City Hall.

KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall yesterday assured residents that it would not turn a deaf ear to the public on the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020.

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Thursday/Stories/2333939/insidepix2?display=xsmall
Flat dwellers are among those who have demanded to have discussions with City Hall on the KL draft plan.

This was stated by City Hall as the deadline for views and suggestions by Kuala Lumpur folk to the draft plan expires on Sunday.

City Hall said it has so far received 649 objections and suggestions to the draft plan.

Before the draft plan is gazetted, City Hall officers will meet the public four times a week to discuss their suggestions that have been submitted. The public hearing will start on Sept 4 over two months.


The mayor, Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said apart from group discussions, City Hall is also ready to meet individuals who want to have one-to-one talk.

"For people who have submitted their objections and suggestions through emails and letters. We will meet them individually," he said.

The views of non-government organisations, residents' associations and individuals will be evaluated by the Public Hearing Committee (PHC) before they are submitted to the mayor.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Environment and Development (Lestari) fellow principal, Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim will chair the PHC.

City Hall director-general Datuk Salleh Yusop said City Hall has so far received 649 objections and suggestions to the draft plan.

"Those who object to the draft plan can come in groups or individually to discuss the issues that they are unhappy about. They can also propose better alternatives to what was proposed in the draft plan," said Salleh.

He said that arguments that are considered valid would be amended accordingly

The views of the public would be studied by town planners, architects and landscape experts, property consultants, Malaysian Nature Society and the Environmental Protection Society of Malaysia

700 maklum balas draf pelan KL 2020 diterima
Oleh Sharifah Salwa Syed Akil dan Fauziah Abdullah
bhnews@bharian.com.my
DBKL mahu penyertaan semua merancang pembangunan

KUALA LUMPUR: Kira-kira 700 maklum balas berhubung Draf Pelan Kuala Lumpur 2020 diterima Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) membabitkan pelbagai cadangan, usul, pandangan serta bantahan secara bertulis dan e-mel sepanjang draf berkenaan dibuka kepada warga kota.

Ketua Pengarah DBKL, Datuk Salleh Yusuf, berkata jumlah itu membuktikan warga kota peka terhadap draf pelan berkenaan sekali gus menunjukkan masyarakat Kuala Lumpur bersama DBKL dalam merancang sebarang pembangunan.



“Lagi ramai yang hantar maklum balas mengenai draf pelan ini lagi bagus dan kita berharap sebelum bantahan terhadap draf ini berakhir hujung minggu ini, lebih ramai lagi akan mengusulkan pandangan masing-masing.

“Kita akan memanggil semua pihak yang mengemukakan maklum balas ini untuk membentangkan secara rasmi kepada Jawatankuasa Mendengar Bantahan yang akan selesai sepenuhnya Disember tahun ini,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang media selepas majlis pelepasan ikan untuk Pertandingan Memancing sempena sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan ke-51 di Tasik Titiwangsa di sini, kelmarin.

Salleh berkata, sekiranya pandangan atau bantahan yang dikemukakan itu munasabah atau bersesuaian pihaknya akan mengubahnya sehingga ia menjadi satu draf yang lengkap sebelum diwartakan kepada orang ramai.

“Nama pun draf, tentulah banyak kelemahannya. Lagipun ia belum diputuskan dan masih boleh diubah pada bila-bila masa jika kita dapati draf berkenaan tidak sesuai.

Sebab itu kita mahu mereka bekerjasama untuk mengemukakan pandangan masing-masing sebelum kita wartakan. Lagi cepat draf ini diwartakan lagi bagus kerana kita boleh melaksanakan pembangunan di ibu negara secepat mungkin,” katanya.

Sementara itu apabila ditanya mengenai bantahan penduduk di enam kampung tradisional di ibu negara yang tidak berpuas hati dengan draf pelan berkenaan beliau berkata, penduduk boleh menghantar bantahan kepada Jawatankuasa Mendengar Bantahan.

Klang & Gombak River

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http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/3/8/10/f_01m_b03321a.jpg

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When we gonna have like Korean one!:bash:

Penduduk Sg. Penchala diberi 14 hari lagi

SEGAMBUT 28 Ogos - Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) memberikan tambahan 14 hari kepada penduduk Kampung Sungai Penchala di sini untuk menyemak dan memberi maklum balas terhadap Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur (KLCP) 2020.

Tarikh tutup untuk membuat bantahan ialah pada Sabtu ini.

Tambahan masa itu diberikan kerana penduduk di situ didapati tidak faham mengenai perlunya mereka mengambil bahagian sebelum pelan itu diwartakan.

Perkara itu disedari setelah Ketua UMNO Bahagian Segambut, Senator Datuk Kamarudin Ambok ketika menganjurkan majlis taklimat mengenai KLCP 2020 dengan kerjasama DBKL di kampung itu semalam.

"Isu utama di sini ialah orang-orang kampung tidak faham mengenai pelan induk ini. Perkara ini terdedah apabila kami menganjurkan majlis taklimat hari ini.

"Pelan ini akan adalah perancangan untuk masa akan datang. Jika penduduk tidak berbuat sesuatu sama ada membantah atau memberi input, maka generasi akan datang akan menyalahkan generasi sekarang," tegasnya.

Beliau berkata, penduduk perlu mengambil kesempatan yang diberikan itu untuk mengubah status tanah mereka daripada kediaman biasa kepada yang bernilai komersial seperti pembangunan bercampur.

"Soal sama ada mereka ingin membangunkan tanah mereka pada masa depan adalah soal lain. Masalah orang kampung ialah mereka sensitif apabila timbul soal menukar status tanah... mereka nak status biasa.

"Mereka tidak tahu bahawa sebahagian tanah di sini telah ditukar status, sekali gus meningkatkan nilai tanah itu.

"Tanah di kiri kanan Lebuh Raya Hubungan Kerinchi sudah diwartakan untuk pembangunan bercampur. Jika penduduk kampung sedar, mereka juga sepatutnya meminta status yang sama bagi tanah masing-masing," jelasnya.

Sementara itu, beliau berkata, pelan perancangan masa depan untuk kawasan Kampung Sungai Penchala, Kampung Sri Penchala dan Kampung Palimbayan didapati tiada kawasan hijau dan juga kawasan lapang.

"Sebab itulah majlis taklimat ini kami anjurkan. Mereka boleh mendengar dan berbincang sebelum memberi maklum balas," kata Kamarudin.

Majlis taklimat itu bagaimanapun tidak mendapat sambutan daripada penduduk yang keseluruhannya berjumlah kira-kira 10,000 orang apabila hanya 20 orang yang datang.

Namun, Kamaruddin tidak menolak kemungkinan hari bekerja sebagai faktor majlis tidak mendapat sambutan.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, pihaknya akan mengadakan satu lagi majlis yang sama pada masa yang lebih sesuai dalam waktu terdekat ini.

Penggerak Masyarakat Kampung Seri Penchala, Ahmad Nazar Salleh pula berkata, setahu beliau tiada sebarang bantahan dibuat oleh penduduk Kampung Sungai Penchala terhadap KLCP 2020.

"Kami belum membuat sebarang bantahan atau cadangan mengenai draf ini kerana kami tidak faham. Selepas mendengar taklimat ini barulah kami sedar mengenai pentingnya kami meneliti isi kandungan draf ini.

"Kami akan mengadakan perbincangan sebelum memberi maklum balas kepada DBKL. Kami akan menggunakan tambahan masa yang diberikan dengan sebaik-baiknya," katanya.

Kampung Baru folks want representation
BY BAVANI M


THE Kampung Baru Action Committee (KBAC) wants to be represented in the public opinion hearing committee of the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

According to KBAC pro tem chairman Mohd Noor Hassan, the draft plan hearing committee’s current line-up does not have a representation from Kampung Baru.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/9/2/central/m_02saravana.jpg
Duly noted: Saravanan receiving the memorandum from Dr Lo Lo.

“There is no one representing the interests of the landowners and we feel that this may not be favourable to us,’’ Noor Hassan said.

He said the KBAC had no choice but to reject the draft plan because the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had picked only its own people to sit on the hearing committee.

Noor Hassan said any development plan involving the 100-year-old Kampung Baru must include the views and feedback of the landowners who were the real stake holders of the land.

“We feel that it is pointless for us to support the plan as no one is representing the interest of the Kampung Baru residents and there may be prejudiced in the decision-making process,’’ Noor Hassan told StarMetro.

The 21-member draft plan hearing panel comprises town planners, architects, developers, environmentalists and others nominated by the DBKL.

It is headed by Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim, an academician from the Institute of Environment and Development of the UKM.

Halimaton was appointed after Datuk Esa Mohamad decided to turn down the job, following a dispute over his alleged conflict of interest.

The KBAC, meanwhile, submitted over 200 objections, accompanied by a memorandum, to the development proposals outlined in the draft plan, to the DBKL last Friday, two days ahead of the Aug 31 deadline for the submission of written objections and opinions on the draft plan.

A stack of copies of the documents was also presented to Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan by Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo’ Lo’ Mohd Ghazali in parliament last Friday.

According to DBKL master plan department director Zainab Mohd Ghazali, the draft plan hearing panel would begin public hearing of the objections and opinion soon.

Zainab said there would be four sessions per week and the hearing sessions were expected to last about two months.

She said the DBKL had received over 600 written submissions of objections and opinions from the city residents.

Members of the public opinion hearing committee on the KL Draft Plan

1) Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim (Chairman) - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Environment and Development (Lestari).

2) Abdul Rashid Ibrahim - Former DBKL planning department director.

3) Professor Datuk Zainuddin Muhammad - Former director-general of town and country planning for peninsular Malaysia.

4) Chiam Soon Hock - Former DBKL building control and planning department director.

5) Datuk Mokhtar Long Idris - Former DBKL building control and planning department director.

6) Datuk Halijah Othman - Former DBKL deputy director-general.

7) Lau Lee Ching - Former DBKL deputy director-general.

8) Ibrahim Mohd - academician, faculty of built environment, Universiti Malaya.

9) Prof Jamalunlali Abdullah - academician, faculty of architecture, planning and surveying, Universiti Teknologi Mara.

10) Nor Azina Dahlan - academician, faculty of built environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.

11) Prof Dr Alias Abdullah - academician, faculty of architecture and environmental design, International Islamic University Malaysia.

12) Mohd Ahyat Mohd Noor - member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners.

13) Tan Thean Siew - member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners.

14) Lee Chor Wah - deputy president of the Malaysian Architect Association.

15) Boon Che Wee - deputy president of the Malaysian Architect Association.

16) Fauzi Abu Bakar - corporate member of the Institute of Landscape Architects.

17) Datuk Jeffrey Ng - former chairman of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia (Rehda).

18) Tan Ching Meng - branch secretary of the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia (Rehda).

19) Loh Chi Leong - executive director of the Malaysia Nature Society.

20) Nithi Nesadurai - president of the Environmental Protection Society Malaysia.

Cheras residents submit memo objecting draft KL city plan
Story and photo by CHRISTINA LOW


More than 30 residents associations and NGOs in the Cheras parliamentary constituency have submitted a memorandum objecting to the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 just two days before the Aug 31 deadline for submission of objections and views.

“We are objecting the draft plan and are urging the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to withdraw it as there are many faults and weaknesses in the plan that will not contribute in improving the lifestyle of the city folks,” Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said in a press briefing after submitting the written objections to the DBKL.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/9/2/central/m_03tan.jpg
Let’s discuss: (standing) Tan explaining the contents of the memorandum at the meeting.

Among the objections are:

> The DBKL has refused to hold road shows to explain the draft plan clearly to the residents and the public;

> Volume 3 of the draft plan explaining how the DBKL will implement the local plan has yet to be made available to the public;

> The draft plan does not have any proposal for increasing essential facilities for the community, considering the fact that the city population is projected to increase;

> The local community and the public are left out in the summaris-ing zoning areas for land use and density in the draft plan;

> The draft plan has not taken into consideration the recommendations made in the National Physical Plan, especially the proposal of maintaining the density of 40 to 50 people per acre and also that of ensuring the efficient distribution of growth to neighbouring areas like Sepang, Seremban and Rawang;

> The recommendations in the plan are also found to have differed from that of the KL Structure Plan gazetted in 2004;

> The draft plan has failed to deal with the problem of squatter housing on private land. According to the current government policy, only those staying in squatter houses on government land will be allocated low-cost public housing units;

> There is no apparent land allocation for the building of primary schools, especially Chinese schools, in the draft plan;

> The fate of the open cremation centre in Jalan Loke Yew is not mentioned; and

> Certain Chinese and Hindu temples which have long existed in Cheras have been classified as squatter buildings by the DBKL and are therefore at the risk of being demolished under the Zero Squatter Policy. However, the draft plan does not state whether the places of worship will be left untouched or relocated elsewhere.

“We will not just stop after submitting the memo. We will continue meeting residents till the hearing day at the DBKL,” Tan said.

Tan hopes the residents will continue to study the draft plan and be prepared to attend the hearing where they can give their opinions and suggestions.

He also said the Cheras residents were ready to work jointly with the Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur in opposing the draft plan.

Klang & Gombak River

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i always stop my bike here and spend 15 minutes to see the possibilities on how this river can be another KL's tourist attraction.

if i were the mayor or Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Landskap Negara or PM :D first, i will widen the river by torning down one side of the barriere (the tembok), letak batu-batu besar dalam sungai tu, lepastu buat jeti pejalan kaki (wooden structure) along the river. and plant trees all the way...

Draft plan receives 747 views


THE draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan has received 469 written views and 278 through its website from 407 individuals and 340 groups till Sept 2.

The most number of views came from strategic zones such as Damansara, Penchala, Bukit Jalil and Seputeh while the lowest number of views is from Kampung Baru.

The first public hearing was held yesterday and it concentrated on complaints by those who chose not to attend the hearing.

DBKL’s masterplan director Zainab Mohd Ghazali said DBKL would pay attention to the views by those who chose not to attend the hearing.

“We will have a hearing for those who want to be heard after the fasting month,” Zainab added.

Cheras folk reject draft plan
K. Harinderan

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Monday/Stories/2343372/insidepix1
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai has raised 31 objections, endorsed by 34 NGOs, to the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020.

KUALA LUMPUR: It may have been late, but it still carries great weight.

In the final moments of the Aug 31 deadline set for City Hall to receive submissions of objections to and suggestions on the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020, a three-page memorandum was submitted to highlight the views of residents living in the large constituency.

The gist of the document is a call for the rejection of the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020 in its totality.

It reflects the large number of city folk who feel that a new drafting committee, consisting of all stakeholders, has to be appointed after taking into consideration all views from the public to ensure that the city is properly planned and developed.


"City Hall has to take into account the views of the public, other ministries and departments before developing a city plan," said Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai a day after he submitting the three-page memorandum

The memorandum raised 31 objections that represented the views of 34 non-government organisations, the Cheras DAP division, as well as Tan himself.

At a meeting attended by about 40 members of involved parties, recently held at the Cheras DAP service centre recently, Tan added that the plan was unrealistic in its focus to make Kuala Lumpur a developed city, as there exists many fundamental issues like the quality of life, public transport, the lower per capita income of its citizens compared to developed cities like New York and London and cleanliness of the city not being resolved presently.

"How are we to achieve world class city status in the next 12 years when problems like lack of good infrastructure, care for the environment and other economic and social community-based efforts are simply not addressed today?" he said, adding that the plan came out at a time of wasteful spending by the government and City Hall.

"Many of these organisations, including myself, do not understand the jargon used in the complex plan. It also does not explain what is the present situation and we could not make any reference or comparisons as to how the plan would govern the notion of development in the city," he added.

The salient points of the objections raised in the memorandum were:

l The draft plan does not consider the views of the public in respect of the new proposed zoning of residential and commercial areas and land use in accordance with Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976 and Local Planning Manual under the National Physical Plan (NPP).

l The draft does not adhere to population density projections of 40 to 50 people per 0.00405 sq km as per the NPP and the National Structure Plan. In some areas like Taman Bukit Ria, the plan shows a figure of up to 320 people per 0.00405 sq km.

l The transit zones proposed at the various LRT stations are within a proximity of 200 to 250 metres of densely populated residential areas, which would infringe on resents' privacy and worsen traffic congestion.

l The development of the LRT corridors are not in accordance with plans by the Ministry of Transport which would further degrade the public transport system.

l There were no plausible reasons given on land use classification as the plan designates about 60 per cent of land allocated for development for commercial use, which means that there would be fewer green lungs and less land for community projects.

* The draft does not cater for public access of the handicapped and elderly and the relocation of squatters residing on private land as it only allocates public housing projects for those on government land.

* The draft classifies many temples in Cheras as squatter buildings although some have been in existence for close to a century and there were no guarantees that these buildings would be relocated.

l The draft calls for the reduction of small and mediumsized industries by eight per cent. This would affect the livelihoods of more than 200 small holders in Kg Cheras Baru.

l A Present Land Use Map was not included to make comparison and chart changes.

Tan added that the submission of the memorandum was not an end in itself. The group will discuss the issues at the Public Hearing Committee formed to receive feedback on the draft plan.

Among the NGOs that endorsed the memorandum were Taman Kobena, Taman Billion, Taman Midah, Loke Yew Flats and Taman Shamelin residents' associations, Cheras South Safety Committee, Taman Midah Hawkers Association and Cheras Small and Medium Size Business Association.

Public hearing extended

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Selangor and Federal Territory Community Association assistant secretary Julie Wong (second left) and residents submitting a memorandum on the KL draft plan to Shaari Ahmad Junid at City Hall recently.

KUALA LUMPUR: City Hall needs more time to look into the complaints. Thus, the two-month public hearing for the controversial Kuala Lumpur draft plan that was to end on Oct 31 will be extended to the end of the year.

Public Hearing Committee chairman Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim said the committee needs more time to look into the complaints.

"After assessing the objections, we realise that it's going to be a long process. We need more time and additional information," she said.

The committee has received 747 objections and views from the public on the draft plan.


"We have divided the committee into panels of three to five members. We are in the midst of looking at how we can speed things up, if necessary we will have sittings every day.

Each session will start at 9am and end at 1pm. The sessions are heard by the panel and presented by the secretariat.

She said the committee will also extend the time allocated for those who want to speak at the public hearing. Individuals were initially given 20 minutes to present their case while a group gets 45 minutes.

"But we realised that this rule cannot be applied strictly . Sometimes an individual objection requires more time and a group objection could be straightforward."

City Hall girds for tough talk
Noel Achariam

KUALA LUMPUR: For City Hall, now comes the hard part -- the expected face to face confrontational talks with residents of Kuala Lumpur.

That is what City Hall is bracing itself for after the Aug 31 deadline for the public to write in and state their objections to the Kuala Lumpur draft plan 2020.

Now the draft plan has entered the discussion stage which is expected to be fiery and contentious as those who had submitted their objections in writing, can now show their verbal dissent to the City Hall committee heading the public hearing.

At the moment, City Hall is looking at the letters of objections of those who do not wish to attend the hearing and its officials will next meet the objectors in person.


Most of those who want a powwow with City Hall officials are residents who have rejected the draft plan outright or are unhappy with several proposals listed in the draft plan.

Public Hearing Committee chairman Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim admitted that the hearing would not be easy.

She said most of the objections received were about traffic conditions, sustainable development and the rights of individuals.

"It's difficult to balance the rights of the majority and the rights of individuals," she said.

For instance, she said, the majority of city folks want additional open spaces, roads to be widened and a better public transport system.

"But the individuals say 'don't touch my land, I want to develop my land, but I'm not giving up my land for green space. I want LRT but I don't want it running through my land and so,' " she added.

Halimaton said the individuals have the right to their land while the majority of city dwellers demand better public amenities.

"This issue is difficult to balance because there is no more public land in the city."

She said a local inquiry will be conducted in regard to some of the objections. A local inquiry is a site inspection, survey or discussion with the local people by the committee.

For the local inquiry, the committee will also invite several experts (for issues like hill slope development) to assist them for additional information.

The committee recently visited Jalan Kerayong (next to the Sungei Besi airbase) where City Hall received eight objections to its zoning in the draft plan. The visit was to check the validity of the objections and whether the zoning proposed by the consultants was suitable.

"We have collected our data and will make a decision based on our findings," she said.

Halimaton pointed out that some of the objections were not relevant to the draft plan.

"For example, some residents asked to have their flats repainted or the fences in their neighbourhood be mended. This kind of suggestions does not pertain to the draft plan," she said.

"When we look at the objections, we assess them in terms of practicality of the plan. KL can be a world class city by 2020, but it depends on what our indicators of a world class city are," she said.

"I think the most difficult part is to balance economic growth with environmental conservation, social needs and equities."

City Plan hearings to go on till June

KUALA LUMPUR: The public hearing committee (PHC) appointed to hear the objections and views on the Kuala Lumpur Draft City Plan 2020 wants more time to deliberate on all the matters that have been raised by Kuala Lumpur dwellers.

The public hearing, which was expected to end in December, has been extended until June next year due to the overwhelming response that City Hall had received on the draft plan.

Speaking after the weekly meet-the-media session Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan said the reason for the extension was that they had not expected the influx of objections and views that were submitted at the last minute just before the Aug 31 deadline.

City Hall has received 5,147 objections and views from the public on the draft plan.


"Of these, 3,844 were submitted on the PA1 forms provided by City Hall. The rest were by e-mails, memoranda and reports," he said.

According to figures provided by City Hall, 961 letters were submitted by groups and 4,186 letters were submitted by individuals. Some 3,970 objectors have asked to be heard at the public hearing and another 1,174 are from those who do not want a public hearing.

The total number of people involved in the objections and views are 15,960.

Since Sept 4, the committee has gone through 22 letters of objections (those who do not want to be heard.)

The session will convene on the third week of October after the Hari Raya festive celebration.

DBKL extends public hearing on draft plan
BY BAVANI M


THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has extended the public hearing of the Draft City Plan from Oct 31 to June 2009.

Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan who made this announcement at the meet-the-press session on Wednesday said this was due to the overwhelming response from the public and that the Public Opinion Hearing Committee (POHC) needs more time to look into complaints with regards to the plan.

“So far the number of objections and views received has reached 5,147 as there was a surge particularly towards the last four days of the deadline,’’ he said.

Out of that number a total of 3,844 objections were received via the PA1 form while the balance were in the form of letters, e-mails, memorandum, and reports.

A total of 961 objections were made by groups while 4,186 were from individuals.

The mayor said that 3,974 have requested to be present at the hearing while 1,174 said they would not be present.

The committee have since heard 22 objections since Sept 4.

Meanwhile the mayor said that new Datuk Keramat market in Kampung Datuk Keramat will be fully operational by the end of the year. All piping, electricity and sewerage system will be up by October and traders will be able to move in by November.

DBKL to hold separate sessions on draft KL City plan
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ


THE public hearing session on the draft KL City Plan 2020 starts on Monday but not everyone who submitted the individual opinion forms have received acknowledgement cards from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Those who have received the cards are concerned about the fact that the reference number does not mention the issue submitted.

These are some of the concerns of residents from Bukit Jalil and Ladang Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur.

Resident Chin Choong Men, 61, said the reference number on the card did not indicate the issue concerned and it was confusing, as a resident may have submitted a few opinions.

He said the DBKL had requested that the residents look up the details in the draft plan website.

“The DBKL is assuming that everyone is Internet savvy. When we get these cards, we are not sure which issue is linked to which reference number.

“Furthermore, to find the details that are linked to the reference number, one has to browse many pages online that causes the screen to hang, making retrieving information frustrating,” he said at a press conference held at Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s office in Bandar Sri Permaisuri, Cheras, yesterday.

The residents are also concerned over the fact that they are scheduled to attend the public hearing on the same issue on different times and dates.

S.Thiakarajan, 55, who is the secretary of Ladang Bukit Jalil Residents Association, said the hearing on the same issue on different dates and time would take up a lot of time.

“Why not gather all and have one hearing to save time and resources and have better input?” he asked after highlighting a few issues in his area pertaining to the draft plan.

A pertinent issue is the missing SJK(T) Ladang Bukit Jalil in the draft plan.

Thiakarajan said recently teachers, parents and boards members of the 80-year-old school which was on Lot 1986 were told to move to another location which was 200m away.

When the matter was brought up to the Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravannan, he suggested moving the school to Lot 3418, which is in the draft plan and indicates a future Sekolah Sri Keladi.

“We fear the fate of the Tamil school because Sekolah Sri Keladi does not sound like a Tamil school,” said Thiakarajan.

Public hearing on KL City Plan a smooth affair
By CHRISTINA LOW and FAZLEENA AZIZ


THE public hearing session on the draft KL City Plan 2020 began yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut.

Two sessions covering Bukit Jalil-Seputeh and KL City Centre were held simultaneously yesterday.

Each individual was given 30 minutes to voice their opinion.

The meeting rooms allocated for the sessions were not filled nor was it a chaotic affair like many would have imagined.

Only those who had received acknowledgement cards on the hearing for the allocated day from the DBKL were present.

Ladang Bukit Jalil Action Committee treasurer K.Balakrishnan gave his opinion on the missing SJK(T) Ladang Bukit Jalil and a Hindu temple which had not been listed in the draft plan.

“We are here to state our opinion on the school and the temple which are missing in the draft plan,” he said.

Balakrishnan added that there were more than 100 residents who had also filled in complaints on the same issue but were given different days to attend the public hearing.

“We all have the same issue. DBKL should just call all of us and listen to our opinions at one time instead of diffrent dates and making things difficult for everyone,” said Balakrishnan who attended the session chaired by former director-general of town and country planning for peninsular Malaysia Professor Datuk Zainuddin Muhammad.

Meanwhile, property developer Kenny Tai, who attended the session for the KL City Centre, voiced his views that 32, Jalan Inai would be better suited as a commercial zone.

“At the moment it is zoned as residential. Traffic has increased over the years with tourist outlets and restaurants being opened.

“It is no longer a conducive environment and as owners, we want the land to be used for something else.

“If you go through the structure plan, it shows they want to increase the population and so they should allow it to be commercial instead of keeping it low density.

Tai suggested that the area be turned into a mixed development like the Kuala Lumpur City Centre.

The city centre’s objection on Jalan Inai to be rezoned as commercial instead of residential was chaired by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Environment and Development chairman Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim.

The panel said they would make a decision based on the general welfare of the city, living and working condition as well as based on input from the public.

Other zones which DBKL will be covering this week include Bandar Tun Razak-Sg Besi and Wangsa Maju-Maluri.

Let down by KL draft plan hearing
Noel Achariam

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Tuesday/Stories/2404445/insidepix1
Ladang Bukit Jalil residents, including Chin Choong Meng (second from right), arriving for the first KL draft plan public hearing.

KUALA LUMPUR: It was only the first public hearing on the KL Draft City Plan 2020, but the first batch called to attend, the residents of Ladang Bukit Jalil, are already upset with City Hall.

After a three-hour presentation yesterday, they were told by City Hall's three-member panel that they were not in a decision-making position.

The panel said they would have to present their findings and submit the proposal to higher authorities before a decision can be made.

Ladang Bukit Jalil Residents' Association committee member Chin Choong Men, 61, said the meeting was a waste of time.


"Why call us for a hearing if they can't make a decision. I'm not pleased with the outcome of the hearing," he said.

Chin also commented on the poor handling of the public hearing by City Hall. "It is a waste of time to review several opinions on the same issues at different times. This will cause a lot of confusion and waste time.

"They should have called us for a group session. I had requested that we all be heard at the same time and we hope that City Hall will look into our request," he said.

At the hearing, residents presented their views on SJK Tamil Ladang Bukit Jalil and an existing Hindu temple that are not shown on the draft plan; and the building of a temporary detention centre and a second Muslim cemetery, the allocation for other cemeteries and a crematorium

Chin said that the main issue was the missing 80-year old Tamil school SJK Ladang Bukit Jalil.

Chin said the Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan had suggested that the school be moved from its present location at Bandar Tun Razak to a location in the Seputeh constituency.

"The lot that he suggested is clearly indicated in the draft plan as the future Sri Keladi school. What we don't understand is that how can we expect children to pick up Tamil in a non-Tamil school," he said.

Chin also questioned Saravanan on a statement he made that no Hindu temples would be demolished in the city. "When we checked the draft plan the Hindu temple at Ladang Bukit Jalil is missing.

"City Hall had made a 100 year-old temple disappear. No land was seen allocated for the temple in the draft plan. I have spoken to the panel and told them to include the temple in the draft plan. If they don't do this then they would have violated Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 because there was no pre-consultation with the public," he said.

Other issues the residents are disputing are the building of a temporary detention centre and a second Muslim cemetery, and the building of cemeteries for other religious groups and a crematorium.

"Just before the general elections, City Hall had denied crematorium and cemetery projects at Ladang Bukit Jalil, but now the draft plan clearly shows land use for the existing temporary detention centre.

"This shows that City Hall will be starting the cemetery projects in the area, which explains why City Hall is eager to drive the estate workers from their homes," he said.

Residents want flaws in draft plan amended
By CHRISTINA LOW


FEDERAL Hill residents feel that there are flaws in the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan (DKLCP) 2020 which need to be addressed immediately such as car parks and backlanes marked as open spaces in the plan.

During the public hearing held yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur Public Library in Jalan Raja, residents said there were incorrect information pertaining to the development of Federal Hill (also known as Sri Bukit Persekutuan) with regards to buffer zones in the area.

The session kicked off with lawyer Derek Fernandez tabling the points and views on behalf of the Federal Hill residents.

“My concern is that there may not be an appreciation for the seriousness of the issue, on the legality of the DKCP 2020 that it was not prepared in accordance to the provisions of the law,

“It may have to be rejected. However, this process can be used as a feedback to prepare a proper draft later,” said Fernandez.

He said the DKLCP 2020 had violated the National Physical Plan and the National Urbanisation Policy which was legally binding on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) by virtue of Act 1129.

“They (DBKL) are increasing density even though there is insufficient land and infrastructure and this is the heart of all the problems that we are going to face. They are going to place 600,000 people here by 2020 when there is no need to do so,” he said.

Fernandez said the solution given to DBKL by the National Physical Plan was to spread out development along the Kuala Lumpur Conurbation with a policy of reducing the density of the population.

The DKLCP 2020 was also said to have dropped the concept of green areas but focused on open areas instead. However, errors spotted after a thorough reading was that the plan marked car parks and back lanes as an open space.

“There is no room for road expansion, buffer zones are neglected and it lacked transparency,” said one resident.

The residents also questioned the construction of a nine-storey police quarters and three-storey police station in Jalan Travers by Primamuda Holdings on a 1.5-acre land.

The residents of the area were not given a right to be heard even though the building was said to be in clear violation of the Federal Government’s Department of Town and Country Planning’s total planning and development guidelines which require buildings on slopes to be orientated to maintain natural skyline to ensure the view of its surroundings can be enjoyed by all.

“The nine-storey could have been reduced to two-storeys instead and spread out on the whole of the land as the area had been intended for such purposes,” said Fernandez.

The session was chaired by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Environment and Development Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim with assistance of former DBKL deputy director-general Lau Lee Ching, Environmental Protection Society Malaysia president Nithi Nesadurai, former DBKL building control and planning department director Datuk Mokhtar Long Idris and member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners Tan Thean Siew.

Big plans for KL’s tourist spots
Monday December 1, 2008
By PRIYA MENON

NEW roads and a walkway connecting major tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur will be ready soon.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said that plans to build roads connecting Jalan Chow Kit, Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman are under way.

“Out of the three phases, the first is already complete and this is the road linking Jalan Dewan Sultan Sulaiman to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. The cost of this project is RM14mil,” Zulhasnan said.

The next phase is to build a road from Jalan Raja Abdullah to Jalan Tun Razak at the cost of RM40mil and lastly a walkway connecting Dataran Merdeka, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Chow Kit with an estimated cost of RM8.6 mil.

“We are now at the design stage and we are looking for the right company to award the tender to,” he added.

The new projects are part of the Federal Territories Ministry’s plans to boost the image of Chow Kit.

Zulhasnan announced these plans at the launch of the “Program Gerakan Tumpuan (PGT)” in Chow Kit recently.

The programme is designed to deter crime, drug deals, prostitution, illegal immigrants and unlicensed vendors.

In the past, PGT was carried out in four different areas beginning with San Peng, Taman Sri Sentosa in Old Klang Road, Kampung Kerinchi as well as Semarak Flats in Setiawangsa.

“It is a year-long programme and we are happy with the results in the first four places,” he added.

The local market which draws local and foreign crowds may be relocated to a better spot to ensure that vendors and shoppers alike can benefit from it.

As for safety issues, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) along with 21 government agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police, National Anti Drug Agency, Rela as well as the Fire Department will join forces to clean up Chow Kit.

“We have to work as a group because the DBKL does not have the power to carry out different tasks,” he said.

The deputy OCPD of Dang Wangi Superin-tendent Sulaiman Salleh said that the crime rate in Chow Kit had decreased since last year.

Zulhasnan said Chow Kit, like other tourist spots, should reflect Kuala Lumpur’s holistic development plans.

“All these plans are to ensure that KL becomes sustainable, liveable and a vibrant city,” he said.

Only one resident at KLCP2020 hearing
By FAZLEENA AZIZ


ONLY one resident turned up at a public hearing on the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020) at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) complex in Jalan Raja Laut yesterday.

Hisyam Halim, 35, representing the residents of the Waizuri 1 Apartment at Seksyen 5 in Wangsa Maju, said they were concerned about the proposed development on Bukit Dinding recommended in the KLCP2020.

Hisyam pointed out that the proposed hillside development contradicted the KLCP2020’s environmental protection zone (EPZ) objective.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/12/5/central/m_04dinding.jpg
Site for proposed development: Bukit Dinding in Wangsa Maju.

“The EPZ guidelines state what kind of activities are not allowed. The development that will take place is of high density,” he said.

“The hill is very steep and it is above 200m. Some parts of the hill are at 35° gradient, which is why it is called Bukit Dinding,” Hisyam said.

“I think a good lesson we should take into account is the Highland Towers tragedy, where a development project next to a hill caused the whole thing to collapse,” he said.

“The main fact is that the hill is not suitable for development and it should be retained as a green lung or turned into a recreational area,” Hisyam said.

“It is okay if the DBKL wants to make the city a world class place but it should not be at the expense of the people’s safety and comfort,” he said.

“People are looking for space and there is not enough park land in KL,” Hisyam said.

He said that it was ridiculous for a modern city not to have any green area.

The hearing was chaired by Mohd Ahyat Mohd Noor, a member of the Malaysian Institute of Planners. There were two other panel members present.

....dis is the real malaysian...we complaints like a baby like a girl but never turn up 4 a meeting/discussion like dis.... :nuts:

^^ there's a saying i've heard while in college: "if you unwilling to participate in democracy, you are better off living in a totalitarian regime"

it is also like saying better stay in the shell than coming out into the real world.

National slope masterplan ready next year
2008/12/07 Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, SUN:

People in buildings in slope development areas will be asked to vacate their premises if they are found to be on the list of risky slopes under the National Slope Masterplan expected to be ready early next year.

Under the masterplan, ongoing development projects will be asked to stop if they are found to be in high-risk slope areas.

Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Robert Law Hui Chew, said development on Class 3 and Class 4 slopes is catergorised as high-risk.

The masterplan, to be drawn by the Public Works Department (PWD), will provide guidelines on construction and development on slopes and his ministry will use it to monitor projects, Law said at the scene of the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide here today.

On the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that housing projects on hill sides and on high-risk slopes be halted, he said it should be supported.
“If construction is going on, investigation should be done carefully,” he said.

On the allegation of a Bukit Antarabangsa resident who said that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) did not investigate the causes of fallen trees a few months ago, Law said there may be “negligence” on the part of MPAJ in the matter.

“If MPAJ received the information and did not investigate and take appropriate action, that is not right,” he said.

Save KL coalition team told it can’t object to KL draft plan’s legal status
By BAVANI M


DISAPPOINMENT, that pretty much sums up the feelings of members of the Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur (CSKL) when they turned up at the public hearing on the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (DKLCP2020) at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) yesterday.

The members were told they would not be able to object to the plan’s legal status.

Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman, who is the coalition chairman, said he was disappointed with the public opinion hearing committee (POHC), when they were told that the panel had not received any feedback with regards to the legal issues from the DBKL’s legal team. Hence the Coalition would not be able to object to that aspect of it.

“We have been disappointed for a very long time.

“How can we proceed with our objections without addressing the core issue, which is the legality of the plan itself? Obviously the panel does not have the authority to decide as they are only making recommendations.’’ Abdul Aziz said.

The coalition’s legal adviser, Derek Fernandez, said it would be impossible to argue planning and technical matters when the fundamental point of the plan — which is its legal status — is not addressed first.

“Because our ability to argue depends on which are the applicable laws that have been applied and the planning framework that is required.

“If they (POHC) don’t know this then they should not be having a hearing in the first place.’’

Derek said the coalition had made it clear five months ago that there were fundamental flaws to the draft plan such as density and zoning.

“The draft plan is illegal and in violation of the National Physical Plan, Town and Country Planning Act (Amendment) Act 2001. The plan failed to comply with Section 12A of the act because no proper consultation was conducted with the public.

“We are disappointed that at this stage of the game, these basic contentions have not been resolved.

“We will have difficulty arguing many issues — we are hoping that they will make a favourable ruling as to the laws — because we are legally correct.

“Even after six months you still can’t determine these, then why bother having a hearing in the first place.

“If they concede that these issues are correct then they must redo everything, start with a fresh plan otherwise it is impossible to move on,’’ Derek said.

“The NPP is a cabinet directive and agreed by the Prime Minister. If they can’t follow the Prime Minister’s directive, do you think they are going to follow ours,’’ Aziz asked.

Pantai Panoramic Gasing Heights resident Dr Teo Keng Huat, who was present at the hearing, said he felt that he was taking a step back.

“How can they not know about the laws and regulations. I did not expect them to be so irresponsible — it’s like going back to square one,’’ Teo said.

Datuk Pang Leong Hoon from Bukit Damansara said: “We came here to solve the legal issues, only then we can move on to the objections proper. Otherwise there is no point in going on.’’

POHC chairman Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim said she had not received information on the legal aspects of the draft plan from the DBKL.

“If it is decided that the draft plan is null and void then we can touch on its legal status.

“If the plan is valid then the case must be considered differently — but we certainly cannot solve it today otherwise we will be stuck in a deadlock,’’ she said.

Halimaton urged residents to go ahead and put forward their objections as to planning matters of which the Coalition refused.

“We are hoping for a favourable ruling in respect to the laws otherwise we may have to take the matter up to the courts,’’ said Derek.

Kampung Baru perintis penstrukturan KL 2020

KUALA LUMPUR 31 Mac - Kampung Baru akan diberikan imej baru melalui pelan penstrukturan Kuala Lumpur 2020 dengan menjadikan pembangunan pusat perniagaan di tapak pasar minggu di kawasan terbabit sebagai projek perintis bermula November ini.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor berkata, pembangunan di kawasan itu adalah berkonsepkan masyarakat majmuk tetapi masih mengekalkan identiti Melayu bersesuaian dengan latar belakang sejarah Kampung Baru.

``Kerajaan juga akan membangunkan sepanjang Jalan Raja Alang dan Jalan Raja Muda Musa mulai Jun ini sebagai kawasan pejalan kaki dan tempat makan tersusun.

``Dengan cara ini, kerajaan yakin pemilik tanah akan berminat untuk turut serta bagi menjadikan Kampung Baru sebagai daya penarik kepada pelancong,'' katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas sesi penggulungan perbahasan Kanun Tanah Negara (Pengesahan) 2003 pada sidang Dewan Rakyat hari ini.

Isu pembangunan Kampung Baru dibangkitkan oleh beberapa Ahli Parlimen antaranya Mastika Junaidah (BN-Arau) dan Mohd. Apandi Mohamad (Pas-Jeli).

Menurut Tengku Adnan, selama ini kerajaan menghadapi masalah untuk membangunkan Kampung Baru yang meliputi tujuh buah kampung kerana pemilik tanah menuntut pampasan dengan harga yang terlalu tinggi dan kesukaran mengenal pasti pemilik tanah berkenaan.

Ketika menjawab soalan Fong Kui Lum (DAP-Bukit Bintang), beliau berkata, kerajaan menetapkan sejumlah 24 hektar kawasan di Bukit Bintang untuk dibangunkan sebagai taman bandar (City Park) untuk kegunaan para penduduk di sekitar kawasan terbabit.

Beliau berkata, kawasan Bukit Bintang tidak sesuai dibangunkan projek perumahan rakyat memandang kawasan tanah yang terhad dan tidak sesuai dengan bentuk muka bumi.

``Penduduk setinggan tidak sesuai lagi tinggal di kawasan terbabit tetapi kerajaan bersedia untuk menimbangkan agar mereka dipindahkan ke perumahan rakyat yang terdekat,'' ujarnya.

Semasa menggulung perbahasan itu, Tengku Adnan berkata, masalah kelewatan mendapat kelulusan hak milik strata atau hak milik sementara (TOL) tidak timbul sekiranya permohonan mengikut syarat yang ditetapkan.

Untuk itu katanya, Jawatankuasa Kerja Tanah Wilayah Persekutuan mengadakan mesyuarat setiap tiga minggu sekali dan mempunyai piagam pelanggan yang menetapkan proses kelulusan hak milik dilakukan dalam tempoh tidak lebih daripada 230 hari.

Terdahulu semasa sesi perbahasan, Mastika menggesa kerajaan memandang serius terhadap pembangunan Kampung Baru dengan mengekalkannya sebagai pusat peniagaan orang-orang Melayu dengan menonjolkan identiti yang lebih moden.

Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique (BN-Wangsa Maju) pula mencadangkan kerajaan menggunakan satu tarif tetap kadar premium ke atas tanah pajakan atau TOL serta mempercepatkan proses penukaran hak milik tanah kerana ia menyebabkan banyak projek kerajaan tergendala.

``Ini telah membawa kepada kemarahan rakyat dan digunakan sebagai isu politik,'' katanya.

Apandi pula menggesa diwujudkan satu tempoh tertentu bagi menyelesaikan permohonan tukar syarat dan pecah sempadan bagi memudahkan pemaju membuat perancangan termasuk membuat pinjaman bank.

``Selain itu banyak permohonan hak milik strata tidak dapat diselesaikan berpunca daripada kekurangan pakar dan kakitangan,'' ujarnya.

Kampung Baru status Tanah Pembangunan
Oleh SITI AIRUNNISA ALAUI

KUALA LUMPU 19 Ogos - Status tanah Kampung Baru yang menjadi tanda tanya sejak 30 tahun lalu terjawab apabila tanah tersebut disahkan berstatus Tanah Pembangunan namun masih mengekalkan syarat tidak membenarkan pemilikan dan penyewaan kepada bukan bumiputera.

Naib Yang Dipertua Persatuan Pembangunan Kampung Baru, Dr. Mohd. Yusuf Ismail berkata, sebelum ini terdapat pertikaian pendapat oleh penduduk yang mendakwa tanah tersebut berstatus Tanah Rizab Melayu yang mengehadkan sesuatu program pembangunan.

Katanya, bagaimanapun, penduduk Kampung Baru meminta syarat tidak boleh disewakan kepada bukan bumiputera dipinda untuk membolehkan kawasan itu dimajukan.

Beliau berkata, usul itu diputuskan oleh penduduk Kampung Baru sendiri di dalam Seminar Draf KL 2020 Pelan Bandaraya: Kampung Baru anjuran Persatuan Pembangunan Kampung Baru di sini hari ini.

Jelasnya, nilai hartanah dan nilai komersial Kampung Baru akan lebih pesat berkembang sekiranya memberi ruang kepada bukan bumiputera menyewa di kawasan tersebut.

"Bagaimanapun, perkara tersebut masih perlu dibincangkan dan dibawa kepada pengetahuan pihak berkenaan terutamanya Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) bagi mendapatkan pandangan dan maklumat lebih lanjut," katanya selepas seminar.

Seminar yang dirasmikan oleh bekas Datuk Bandar Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Datuk Elyas Omar itu turut mengupas beberapa perkara penting iaitu pengekalan hak milik tanah, keputusan pembangunan yang tidak hanya bergantung kepada penduduk Kampung Baru semata-mata serta meminda mana-mana draf pembangunan Kampung Baru yang dianggap tidak bersesuaian.

Antara ahli panel yang hadir ialah Pengarah Jabatan Pelan Induk DBKL, Zainab Mohd. Ghazali dan Presiden Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Profesor Datuk Dr. Mohd. Rozali Agus.

Sementara itu, ujar Yusuf, perkara-perkara yang dibincangkan di dalam seminar tersebut perlu diperjelaskan bagi memudahkan pembangunan Kampung Baru dilaksanakan serta mendapat sokongan daripada pemilik tanah.

"Penduduk Kampung Baru menyokong penuh pembangunan yang akan dilaksanakan tetapi mekanisme pelaksanaannya perlu dipinda supaya ia lebih efektif dan dapat dilaksanakan dengan lebih lancar.

"Cadangan melaksanakan 'Kota Automotif' iaitu pusat penjualan kereta terbesar diletakkan di Kampung Baru adalah tidak sesuai dengan konsep pembangunan yang dirancang untuk mengekalkan warisan orang Melayu," jelasnya.

Selain itu, katanya, isu mekanisme pelaksanaan juga perlu dititikberatkan bagi menjamin pembangunan Kampung Baru mencapai objektif yang dirancang.

"Kami mahu DBKL terbabit hanya sebagai penguat kuasa sahaja dan bukannya sebagai pemaju pembangunan.

"Oleh itu, DBKL perlu membenarkan pembangunan kampung baru dilakukan oleh syarikat swasta gergasi tetapi mendapat jaminan kerajaan," katanya.

Public hearing on KL2020 'a fiasco'
Nuradzimmah Daim

KUALA LUMPUR: Why bother having a public hearing when the legality of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 itself is not being addressed?

This was the question raised by the Coalition to Save Kuala Lumpur after a public hearing on the draft at City Hall headquarters' operations room recently.

The coalition had previously said the draft was void as it did not adhere to guidelines in the National Physical Plan (NPP) and National Urbanisation Policy (NUP), specifically on population density.

The coalition had wanted a ruling on the matter before submitting its opinions and suggestions on the draft.


Its president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman said the draft was illegal as it did not follow the ratio of 20 square metres of open space per person, which was equivalent to two hectares of open space for every 1,000 people in an urban area.

The draft only allocates 11 square metres per person for open space.

The "preliminary objection" was shot down by the public hearing committee when its chairman Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim asked the coalition to proceed with its suggestions as the committee had not received any feedback from City Hall's legal team on the matter.

Coalition legal adviser Derek Fernandez said City Hall would have to produce a fresh draft if it was established that the draft was bound by the requirements of the NPP and NUP.

DBKL aims high with a small purse
Saturday December 27, 2008
By FAZLEENA AZIZ and PRIYA MENON

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/12/27/central/m_pg04fuad.jpg

Here it is: Fuad presenting the Kuala Lumpur City Hall Budget 2009.

ALTHOUGH the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has a smaller budget for 2009, compared with that for this year, mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail is confident that the capital city is able to achieve the world class city status.

The 2009 budget of RM2.08bil, which is 8.1% less than the 2008 budget of RM2.26bil, was released to the press by Fuad on Wednesday.

According to Fuad, the 2009 budget with the theme “Moderate Budget, Kuala Lumpur Prospers” is aimed at developing KL into an advanced modern commercial hub and an efficient world class city with an identity.

Fuad said a key objective was to provide the city residents a better quality of life as well as a better administration.

“The budget is in line with the Government plans to stimulate economic growth to face the possible economic slump next year,” Fuad said.

According to Fuad, to increase its revenue, the DBKL has decided to make 2009 the Year of Enforcement.

“We will go all out to ensure prompt payments for assessment, compound, property rental and licensing fees in line with the objective of the Year of Enforcement,” he said.

“The DBKL has allocated RM1.21bil, which is 58.2% of the budget, for administration and RM869.1mil for development,” Fuad said.

“The budget has a 23% deficit as the estimated revenue will only be able to finance the administration expenses while RM469.88mil is financed through the DBKL developmental reserves and RM394.69mil comes from the Federal government,” he said.

The DBKL has allotted RM134.76mil for existing infrastructure maintenance and RM497.26mil for development programmes.

“Roadworks and street lights will be improved with a budget allocation of RM82.12mil from the administration fund,” Fuad said.

“Roads like the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2), Jalan Parlimen, Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Bukit Bintang will undergo maintenance costing almost RM25mil,” he said.

“Under the development allocation, RM365.5mil (of which RM246mil is provided for under the 9th Malaysia Plan), will be spent on planning, execution and completion of 55 roads,” he said.

A total of RM101.8mil from the development fund will be used to build new retention ponds and drainage and irrigation projects.

“Hawkers will be provided proper trading spaces at hawker centres and indoor stalls through 28 projects with an allocation of RM29.96mil,” Fuad said.

“Among the projects are the Datuk Keramat market complex, Bandar Baru Sentul commercial centre, Jalan Rotan hawker centre, Laksamana flat hawker centre and the Jalan Rejang hawker centre.

“The Integrated Transport Information System (ITIS) maintenance, traffic system, bus terminals, taxi bus stops, parking systems and road signs will also be looked into,” Fuad said.

A total of RM22.5mil has been set aside for safety and security schemes like provisions of motorcycle lock machines, close circuit cameras and the computerised traffic management system.

A sum of RM241.19mil has been set aside for the beautification and cleanliness of KL. From this amount, RM124mil has been set aside for garbage collection contractors.

The DBKL has also allocated RM43.12mil for 36 public facility projects like suraus, community halls or centres, public toilets and the upgrading of crematoriums.

“A total of RM68.35mil will be used for 43 recreational facility projects, including the upgrading of seven major parks,” Fuad said.

Fuad, who took over as mayor in early December, said he hoped that the DBKL goals set out in the 2009 budget could be achieved smoothly.

Mixed reaction on city advisers
By BAVANI M


THE appointment of Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (Rehda) chairman Datuk Michael Yam and architect Datuk Ruslan Khalid as members of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) advisory board has drawn mixed reactions from city residents.

Their main concern is that the current board comprises people who are pro-development and may have vested interests.


Fuad: There are still six poistions vacant on the board.
“These people can influence the decision-making process of the board,” Federal Hill resident Pook Li Yoon said.

“For instance, is it appropriate to appoint Datuk Esa Mohamed as a board member since he is the key person who prepared both the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP2020) and the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020)?” he said.

“Such an appointment indicates that the DBKL is having pro-development people to be involved in the decision-making on development matters of the city,’’ Pook said.

“Where are the environment and transport experts?

“They are the people who should be sitting on the board,’’ he said.


Ruslan: One of the so-called prodevelopment board members,
Pook certainly has a point and the allegation of possible vested interests may not be unwarranted.

While board members only get a paltry RM600 each time they attend a meeting, there is much jostling to be appointed a member as it is an opportunity to have a vital say in the development of the city.

It is possible that some board members may even try to influence decisions on the awarding of contracts and to get approval for business licences.

A few board members may even consider it not wrong to exert their influence to obtain approval for projects carried out by their family members, friends or cronies.

The Federal Hill is alleged to be a victim of such purported abuse of power. The land in question was designated for institutional purpose (a police reserve) and can only be used for public purposes.


Yam: We are here to look into the interests of everyone.
However, it has been classified a commercial plot after the DBKL released the DKLCP2020 in May last year.

“The DBKL must be accountable to the citizens of Kuala Lumpur and not simply allow such people-unfriendly decisions to be made,’’ Pook said.

Some people are unhappy with the appointment of Esa as a board member, claiming that as the main consultant hired to prepare the KLSP2020 and DKLCP2020, there may be a conflict of interest.

According to city resident Tony Leong, the Policy CF3 of the KLSP2020 stipulates that land designated under institutional must only be used for public purposes.

“The Federal Hill fiasco is a direct contradiction of Policy CF3. What were our so-called advisers doing when the issue came up during their meetings?’’ Leong said.


Esa: He has sat on the board before.
“The mayor should have rejected the application the moment he discovered that it contradicts the CF3. What is the point of having advisers when they are not doing their jobs?’’ he asked.

Former City Hall advisory board member Datuk Dr M. Thambirajah, however, defended the presence of professionals like Esa, Yam and Ruslan on the board, saying that their independent expert views and opinions are of great help to the mayor.

“There is unlikely to be any conflict of interest as the board members usually declare their interests before the start of a meeting and would excuse themselves from it,’’ he said.

“For example, Esa has always declared his interests during our meetings and excused himself from them if he happened to have some interest in any matter,’’ Thambirajah said.

According to a former advisory board member, who does not want to be identified, apart from the professionals like engineers, town planners, architects and developers, there should also be social representation from the community.

“We need experts on the environment, transport, crime prevention and welfare to be on the board,’’ he said.


Bakaruddin: Represents the FT Ministy on the board.
He cited veteran environmentalist Gurmit Singh as a good example of an environment expert who should rightfully be given a seat on the board.

“The key point is balance. We need to have the right people to represent the needs of city folk only then will the system work,’’ he said.

When contacted, Yam said the current board line-up did not necessarily mean that the board was pro-development.

“One has to look at the bigger picture. We are here to look into the interests of everyone,” he said.

“We wouldn’t have been around for 30 years if we are simply being biased,’’ Yam said.

“The Rehda is there to represent the general populace of Kuala Lumpur and so are the engineers, architects and town planners,” he said.

“It is unfair to say that we are pro-development. We are also here to promote sustainable development too,’’ he said.

The Federal Capital Act 1960 states that the city hall advisory board must have 15 members with one member each from the Federal Territories Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, and two members nominated by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Selangor state government.

The remaining members must be individuals with knowledge on local government issues, or hold a degree in a certain profession, commerce or industry, or have the expertise to represent the needs and interests of their communities.

The board is currently short of six members and there has been talk that the DBKL is planning to appoint representatives from the communities such as residents associations and Rukun Tetangga and non-governmental organisations.

When contacted, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail said there were still six positions yet to be filled and the Federal Territories Ministry was short-listing names to represent the community.

“I welcome all the advice and feedback.

“What’s important is that there must be open communication between the DBKL and the people as we must have good policies for the good of everyone,’’ Fuad said.


DBKL advisory board members
1) Datuk Bakaruddin Othman - Federal Territories Ministry

2) Datuk Abdul Rashid Maidin - Engineer

3) Datuk Setia Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa - Selangor Apointee

4) Tan Sri Mohamad Noor Abdul Rahim - Selangor Apointee

5) Himmat Singh - Prime Minister’s Department (EPU)

6) Datuk Esa Mohamed - Town Planner

7) Mah Hang Yew - Lawyer (MCA appointee)

8) Datuk Ruslan Khalid - Architect

9) Datuk Michael K.C Yam - Rehda

Public hearing on KL city plan
By CHRISTINA LOW


ABOUT 20 residents of the Pantai Panorama Condomin-ium and Bukit Gasing turned up at yesterday’s public hearing on the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020).

They were led by Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar who started the session by stating that the group was opposed to the plan as a whole.

According to Nurul, the process in preparing the plan did not address the requirements stated under the Section 12 (A) Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Act 2001, which stated that before any plan is proposed, the stake holders should be informed.


Possible target: This stream in Bukit Gasing may well succumb to development under the city plan.

She said not only were the residents not told but their elected representatives, the city MPs, were also not consulted during the drafting of the plan.

“The city MPs have met the developers and experts on the matter and most of the elected representatives are not happy with the proposals in the plans in the KLCP2020,” Nurul said.

She said her major concern was on issues relating to pubic transportation.

Nurul said the KLCP2020 did not show any coordination between the various public transportation systems such as buses, trains, the LRT, monorail and KTM.

“Hopefully, the new mayor will be able to address these issues and listen to criticisms voiced by the people through their elected representatives,” she said.

“The mayor should not treat the MPs as enemies as we are all here to serve our constituents better,” Nurul said.

Panorama Condominium resident Danny Ng was present to share his views on the development planned near his housing area.

Ng pointed out that the yet-to-be launched Pantai Peak project was marked in the map as an existing development site which he said was deceptive.

“Whatever we have presented, we hope the city board will make a strong recommendation to the mayor and consider the views of the residents as well as adhering to the laws and policies set,” Ng said.

'Don't let greed develop'
Dawn Chan and Noel Achariam

Residents want Bukit Gasing to be preserved.

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Wednesday/Stories/2452247/insidepix1
KUALA LUMPUR: The greed of a few must never supercede the interest of the public.

This was the strong statement by environmental lawyer Derek Fernandez at a recent public hearing on the KL Draft Plan 2020 for residents of Bukit Gasing, Pantai Panorama Condominium Management Corporation and Pantai Hillpark.

The residents' associations of the three areas are calling for the draft plan to be scrapped as they claimed that it was fundamentally flawed.

Representing the residents of Bukit Gasing, Fernandez told the hearing that the proposal to develop a large part of Bukit Gasing as stated in the draft plan would result in a clear and present danger to public safety and sustainable development.


The public hearing committee was chaired by Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim, a principal fellow with the Institute of Environment and Development of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

Fernandez pointed out that the Selangor-gazetted Bukit Gasing Forest Park would be destroyed by the proposed development, and the animals in the forest, such as squirrels, monkeys and snakes, would be forced into a tiny area and ultimately ending up in people's homes.

"If development is to take place in the area, there will be irreparable damage. This is an environmentally sensitive area.

"There will be widespread flooding in the lower areas and landslides because of hill cutting. The geology for Bukit Gasing is also unsuitable for development," added Fernandez.

He pointed out that the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 had set aside the Kuala Lumpur side of Bukit Gasing as a green area.

"It should be noted that under the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020, Kuala Lumpur has only 6.5 per cent of open space which is way short of the minimum 10 per cent public open space required for sustainable development.

"This figure of 6.5 per cent is inclusive of the 116ha in Bukit Gasing," he said, adding that under the draft plan, half of the Bukit Gasing area had been earmarked for development.

Derek said the draft plan was also in direct violation of the National Physical Plan.

"The greed of a few to live in luxury bungalows with hilltop views or those who seek to profit from cutting hills and destroying these areas can never be allowed to override the public interest in preserving these areas for future generations.

"Such plans must be rejected and a commission of inquiry should be instituted to investigate whether there had been any abuse of power in the development of Kuala Lumpur, the alienation of land in Kuala Lumpur, especially in the green areas, and the basis of the preparation of the KL Draft Plan."

The hearing also heard objections from Pantai Panorama Condominium Management Corporation and Pantai Hillpark residents association. They represented more than 8,000 residents in the two areas who are against the Pantai Peak project which will take place on the Kuala Lumpur side of Bukit Gasing.

Pantai Panorama Condominium management corporation representative Danny Ng said that the Pantai Peak project, which is a collaboration between City Hall and YTL, would have an adverse environmental impact on the surrounding residents in both the short and long term.

Ng said in less than three years, there will be dust and noise pollution from the development of Pantai Peak, planned as a gated community of more than 200 luxury semi-detached homes and bungalows.

"Most importantly, the residents' health will deteriorate due to the reduction of green lungs. City Hall has a moral obligation to protect the interest of its residents. In this case, it has failed miserably by forging a joint-venture with YTL to develop Pantai Peak," he said.

Other issues Ng highlighted included the traffic congestion in the area which he said would worsen as the existing road network was insufficient to support additional development.

"Current development projects such as Pantai Avenue and Bangsar South are already causing significant congestion and once they are completed, the congestion will only get worse. Any additional development in the area will cause further mayhem," said Ng.

Ng pointed out that it was vital to take into consideration the constant flash floods and minor landslides in Jalan Bukit Angkasa and the New Pantai Expressway. There have also been landslips in front of Pantai Hillpark and the fringes of Pantai Panorama Condominium.

Last chance to speak up on KL Draft Plan
Noel Achariam

KUALA LUMPUR: City folks, speak up.

This is your last chance to give voice to what you think the capital city should be like in 2020.

Speaking at his weekly meet-the-press session, mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail: "This is the time for the public to come forward and give their views on the draft plan."

He added that the draft plan is a detailed plan to make KL a world-class city.


"That is why we invited the public to come and object to whatever flaws there may be in the plan.

"We have given them three months to send in their objections and now, please do voice out your opinions," he said.

KLites have until June to make objections or state their opinions on the draft plan. The first public hearing began two months ago and City Hall has since received about 5,000 objections and suggestions on ways to improve the city's development.

Fuad, who took office in mid-December, acknowledged that there were errors in the KL Draft Plan. However, he did not elaborate on them.

On a controversial proposal listed in the draft plan to develop a large portion of the KL side of Bukit Gasing, which straddles the border between the city and Petaling Jaya, Fuad said he could not comment as the matter was pending in court.

"We have to respect the judicial system and wait for the court's decision," he said.

Lawyer and Petaling Jaya city councillor Derek Fernandez, who has taken up the issue on behalf of Bukit Gasing residents, said they are challenging the development order issued by City Hall to Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd. The company wants to develop a 15-hectare plot of land on the hill to build 142 bungalows.

The residents have filed for a High Court judicial review of the development.

Bukit Gasing residents had objected to the development project during last Friday's public hearing on the KL Draft Plan.

"It makes no sense that City Hall approved the development order and then said, now we will hear your objections.

"This is a clear conflict of interest. I hope the mayor will address this issue," he said.

Bukit Gasing Joint Action Committee member Gary Yeoh said that it was the prerogative of the mayor to be sensitive to hillside developments.

"The mayor should review the approvals given for development on the slopes of Bukit Gasing," he said.

2,000 bantah projek DBKL
Oleh Umi Nadirah Abdul Rahman
bhnews@bharian.com.my
Penduduk protes maju tanah di lot 9714, Jinjang Selatan Tambahan

KUALA LUMPUR: Cadangan Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) membangunkan tanah di lot 9714, Jinjang Selatan Tambahan di sini, mendapat bantahan kira-kira 2,000 penduduk di situ yang enggan melihat kawasan mereka dibangunkan sesuka hati.

Penduduk juga menuntut DBKL menyerahkan geran rumah bagi menyelesaikan isu hak milik kediaman membabitkan kira-kira 525 lot di kawasan terbabit yang sebelum ini hanya diberikan lesen menduduki sementara sejak 40 tahun lalu.



Setiausaha Persatuan Penduduk Kampung Jinjang Selatan Tambahan, SP Karuppiah, berkata penduduk kampung tidak menolak pembangunan di kawasan mereka, namun tidak bersetuju sekiranya hak mereka dirampas tanpa memikirkan kesan terhadap penduduk.

“Kami bukan membantah tanpa sebab, tetapi cadangan membangunkan tempat ini dirasakan tidak sesuai, kami sudah mendiami kawasan ini selama tiga generasi dan tiba-tiba DBKL ingin menjadikan tempat ini sebagai pusat komersial.

“Mereka memberi alasan yang kawasan perkampungan kami tidak sesuai lagi kerana sudah lama dan justeru cadangan mendirikan kompleks beli-belah serta rumah kedai di sini tentu sekali tidak adil kerana perkampungan ini mempunyai nilainya tersendiri.

“Apa yang menambah lagi kekesalan dan kekecewaan kami adalah kami tidak mempunyai geran rumah walaupun sudah memohon lebih 15 kali sejak tahun 2003,” katanya ketika ditemui pada mesyuarat membantah pembangunan semula lot 9714 di sini, baru-baru ini.

Karuppiah berkata, penduduk memerlukan geran berkenaan untuk memastikan hak mereka dijamin dan pembangunan tidak dijalankan dengan sewenang-wenangnya apatah lagi perkampungan itu bukan kawasan setinggan.

Katanya, sebelum ini kira-kira 500 penduduk kampung sudah membuat bantahan kepada DBKL terhadap Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur 2020 (DPBKL 2020) berhubung pembangunan di perkampungan mereka sebelum menerima lawatan daripada panel DPBKL 2020.

“Bagaimanapun, sejak lawatan berkenaan diadakan di perkampungan kami, penduduk masih belum menerima sebarang maklum balas hasil lawatan itu,” katanya.

Sementara itu, penasihat persatuan terbabit, A Ponnampalan, 63, ketika ditemui, berkata buat masa ini sebanyak 17 lot rumah di perkampungan itu dikhuatiri terjejas dengan cadangan berkenaan apabila DBKL berhasrat membina jalan bagi laluan dalam kawasan mereka.

“Ini sesuatu yang merumitkan di mana 17 keluarga ini diperlukan berpindah ke flet yang belum ditentukan di mana dan bila, serta hanya akan diberikan pampasan sebanyak RM1,000 sekeluarga.

“Kami berharap DBKL membuat pertimbangan wajar dalam mengatasi masalah ini supaya ia tidak merumitkan lagi keadaan serta membebankan penduduk,” katanya.

Disappointing end to a long wait for Bukit Kiara estate longhouse residents
BY PRIYA MENON


THE people of Bukit Kiara estate have been waiting for almost 27 years for new homes to be built in place of their longhouses. However, with the Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020, the waiting had just come to a disappointing end.

The residents discovered that under the plan their area had not been gazetted for residential development but it has been earmarked for a park.

“We are not squatters but estate workers who were promised land and houses many years ago,” Bukit Kiara public housing committee chairman Sunderam Vadiveloo, 58 said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/22/central/m_06longhouses.jpg
Too crowded: More than 200 people live in the longhouses

The estate workers had been living in the longhouses on the land owned by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

More than 200 people live in the 100 units of longhouses on a 3ha sie that is located near a temple.

“Many elections have come and gone but our wish had not been fulfilled by the government. We are not asking for much, all we want is our home that was promised to us,” another resident Ramesh Subramaniam, 40 said.

The residents were earlier given the option to move to Kampung Muhibbah in Puchong and Bukit Jalil but the residents declined as that would be far from their current working place.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/22/central/m_06workers.jpg
Difficult: Many parents do not want to go through the hassle of changing their children’s schools.

“Most of the residents work at the nearby golf course. If we move out from here, how are we suppose to earn a living?” Sunderam asked.

He added that DBKL assured them that all the facilities were available for the residents at the new settlement but the workers were reluctant to uproot their children from their current environment.

“We have three generations living here now, how can we move out when this has been our home for so many years?”another committee member K. Arumugam asked.

Sunderam added that DBKL had finally called for a meeting with the residents after numerous complaints.

“I only hope that they give us what we want, as we only want what is ours,” Arumugam said.

Last chance to speak up on KL Draft Plan
Noel Achariam

KUALA LUMPUR: City folks, speak up.

This is your last chance to give voice to what you think the capital city should be like in 2020.

Speaking at his weekly meet-the-press session, mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail: "This is the time for the public to come forward and give their views on the draft plan."

He added that the draft plan is a detailed plan to make KL a world-class city.


"That is why we invited the public to come and object to whatever flaws there may be in the plan.

"We have given them three months to send in their objections and now, please do voice out your opinions," he said.

KLites have until June to make objections or state their opinions on the draft plan. The first public hearing began two months ago and City Hall has since received about 5,000 objections and suggestions on ways to improve the city's development.

Fuad, who took office in mid-December, acknowledged that there were errors in the KL Draft Plan. However, he did not elaborate on them.

On a controversial proposal listed in the draft plan to develop a large portion of the KL side of Bukit Gasing, which straddles the border between the city and Petaling Jaya, Fuad said he could not comment as the matter was pending in court.

"We have to respect the judicial system and wait for the court's decision," he said.

Lawyer and Petaling Jaya city councillor Derek Fernandez, who has taken up the issue on behalf of Bukit Gasing residents, said they are challenging the development order issued by City Hall to Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd. The company wants to develop a 15-hectare plot of land on the hill to build 142 bungalows.

The residents have filed for a High Court judicial review of the development.

Bukit Gasing residents had objected to the development project during last Friday's public hearing on the KL Draft Plan.

"It makes no sense that City Hall approved the development order and then said, now we will hear your objections.

"This is a clear conflict of interest. I hope the mayor will address this issue," he said.

Bukit Gasing Joint Action Committee member Gary Yeoh said that it was the prerogative of the mayor to be sensitive to hillside developments.

"The mayor should review the approvals given for development on the slopes of Bukit Gasing," he said.

Disappointing end to a long wait for Bukit Kiara estate longhouse residents
BY PRIYA MENON


THE people of Bukit Kiara estate have been waiting for almost 27 years for new homes to be built in place of their longhouses. However, with the Kuala Lumpur City Draft Plan 2020, the waiting had just come to a disappointing end.

The residents discovered that under the plan their area had not been gazetted for residential development but it has been earmarked for a park.

“We are not squatters but estate workers who were promised land and houses many years ago,” Bukit Kiara public housing committee chairman Sunderam Vadiveloo, 58 said.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/22/central/m_06longhouses.jpg
Too crowded: More than 200 people live in the longhouses

The estate workers had been living in the longhouses on the land owned by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

More than 200 people live in the 100 units of longhouses on a 3ha sie that is located near a temple.

“Many elections have come and gone but our wish had not been fulfilled by the government. We are not asking for much, all we want is our home that was promised to us,” another resident Ramesh Subramaniam, 40 said.

The residents were earlier given the option to move to Kampung Muhibbah in Puchong and Bukit Jalil but the residents declined as that would be far from their current working place.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/1/22/central/m_06workers.jpg
Difficult: Many parents do not want to go through the hassle of changing their children’s schools.

“Most of the residents work at the nearby golf course. If we move out from here, how are we suppose to earn a living?” Sunderam asked.

He added that DBKL assured them that all the facilities were available for the residents at the new settlement but the workers were reluctant to uproot their children from their current environment.

“We have three generations living here now, how can we move out when this has been our home for so many years?”another committee member K. Arumugam asked.

Sunderam added that DBKL had finally called for a meeting with the residents after numerous complaints.

“I only hope that they give us what we want, as we only want what is ours,” Arumugam said.

orang dah nak kasik rumah, banyak songeh lah plak. jauh lah, bergenerasi dah duduk situ lah...macam2 alasan. hidup kalau tak nak berubah, sampai bila2 pun tak berubah....

so DBKL, i think you know your job....! destroy those houses!:lol:

Committee to improve Kuala Lumpur’s delivery system
Thursday February 19, 2009
By GEETHA KRISHNAN

If Kuala Lumpur is to be a world-class city by 2020, the DBKL’s role as a local authority needs review. It needs more power in some areas and has to strongly lobby for shared powers in others.

The limitations prompted Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique to set up the Modern City Management Committee for KL, Putrajaya and Labuan, headed by EPF chairman and Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) president Tan Sri Samsudin Osman.

In an interview with the StarMetro in Putrajaya recently, Samsudin said the committee would suggest ways and means towards better organisation and management of local authorities where they would have the appropriate mandate to handle day-to-day activities and undertake the functions they are accountable for.

“From a bigger perspective, local authorities do not have much say in public transport and solid waste management.

“We want to make them more accountable but they are not given enough of a mandate,” Samsudin said.

“Another crucial area is the delivery system, central to the idea of a model or sustainable city.

“When other agencies handle housing and flood management, overlapping roles lead to delays,” he said.

Critical areas for municipal service delivery include public transportation, housing, solid waste management, environmental management, river and flood management, institutional arrangement and organisation and enforcement.

To function better, the committee will work closely with the Transport Ministry, the Finance Ministry, the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), the DOE and the police.

Valuable input will be garnered from committee members like KL mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail, Perbadanan Labuan chief executive officer Datuk Basiran Saban, Malaysian Institute of Planners chairman Dr Norliza Hashim and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Lestari programme coordinator Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah.

According to Samsudin, one question that the committee hopes to answer is if KL is being managed the way it should be.

“It is better to ask this question now otherwise, 20 years on, people would still be griping about public housing and transport.

“There is sufficient time before 2020 but we’ve got to get our act together now,” he said.

“It starts with the organisation, the internal structure and the governance structure.

“We will set up the parameters first and seek advice from our panel of experts. It is a daunting task nevertheless,” he added.

While KL’s vision is to become a world-class city by 2020, Samsudin said no target had been set yet for Putrajaya but the former can learn some things from the latter.

“We have the NadiPutra bus service for Putrajaya and are establishing a network to cater for the years ahead as the population grows.

“The park-and-ride areas will ensure smooth traffic flow once the volume of cars increases.

“The Putrajaya Lake is monitored by the lake management arm so if the water is murky or the fish population is dwindling, the section is answerable.

“We can also detect pollution,” explained Samsudin.

“The DOE has delegated power to the PPj to deal with pollutants and effluents. This is the form of power-sharing the committee is keen to advocate.

“When the public sees a problem, they want the Government to deal with it.
“They don’t want to hear about how the problem is out of a particular agency’s jurisdiction.

“We need to break down the barriers between departments and work towards a common goal.

“It is all about the one Government concept,” he said.

He pointed out that Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney and Tokyo were good examples of cities with well-oiled management mechanisms, laws and administrative and local government structures.

Samsudin also said the aim in tackling social ills should be to weed out the causes rather than going for symptomatic treatments.

He feels that enforcement units should be given appropriate powers as and when necessary.

“If a city is run well with adequate authority to enforce the law, the public will comply.

“This would prove a deterrent against crime,” he added.

http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/2/19/central/3246366&sec=central

Objections to KL Draft Plan 2020:
'Keep it green and cut the development'
K. Harinderan



More objections to the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020 are being raised as residents, from Bangsar to Gombak, fight to keep their green areas and open spaces.

KUALA LUMPUR: With green areas in Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar, fast disappearing, City Hall has been urged to put a stop to indiscriminate development.

"City Hall must restore and safeguard the green areas in Bukit Bandaraya as they must be retained as a public facility," said Bukit Bandaraya Residents' Association deputy president Mumtaz Ali.

He was speaking at the public hearing where residents voiced their objections to the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020. More than 430 residents submitted Public Opinion Forms to register their objections to the draft.


In the residents' objections submitted to City Hall, they stated that the Bukit Bandaraya area was a matured residential area with low-rise buildings and should not be overdeveloped.

The residents said that high-rise buildings and overdevelopment would result in congestion and have an adverse impact on the environment and existing facilities.

"Existing green lungs and open spaces must be retained and efforts must be made to provide more of such areas," Mumtaz said.

He added that the population density in Bukit Bandaraya should also be maintained as the area was an established residential community.

Mumtaz also raised the residents' objection to a proposed high-rise luxury condominium in Jalan Medang Serai.

He said there was a need for a review of the project and any development in the area should be in line with the original master development plan.

It has been reported that the proposed project was located on a plot of land facing a row of low-rise townhouses close to the Tivoli Villa apartments.

The project will comprise eight condo blocks, the tallest of which are two 28-storey blocks.

Residents have expressed fears that, among others, the project would result in congestion in the area as the population density would go up by 500 per cent, from 30 people per acre to 175 people per acre.

Mumtaz added that the Bukit Bandaraya area would become a slum if houses continued to be allowed to be converted into commercial outlets.

The KL Draft Plan showed that certain areas would be turned into both residential and commercial areas but the residents are against this as they want the areas to remain solely residential.

Mumtaz said the KL Draft Plan was not in compliance with the National Physical Plan in terms of density ratio and other issues.

"Authorities must have the interests of the people at heart as the rakyat are the stakeholders and anything planned must be of benefit to the rakyat. Communities should not be turned into slums."

The association's president Tunku Zahiah Tunku Sulong said the residents were also against the building of a mass rapid transport system like the LRT or monorail through the residential area as drafted in the plan.

"The area will become unsightly with the many concrete structures, not to mention the additional noise pollution from the trains," said Tunku Zahiah

We object! Malay landowners' rights ignored

http://www.nst.com.my/Streets/Monday/Stories/2499589/insidepix1
Malay Reserve Land Association members say that the draft plan did not take into consideration their special rights.

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 100 land owners of Kampung Padang Balang in Gombak claimed that the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020 have infringed on the special rights of the Malays.

The group is made up of three non-governmental organisations known as the Malay Reserve Land Association, the Muafakat Group and the Kampung Padang Balang Action Committee.

The group submitted a memorandum to City Hall last September stating that the draft plan was unfair as it went against the various articles of the Federal Constitution.

Malay Reserve Land Association president Nazariah Abbas told the Public Hearing Committee that the draft plan was prejudicial to the rights of the Malays as the special status of the Malay reserve land was never taken into account in both volumes of the plan.


She said under the titles held by the landowners of the village, the land was classified as Malay reserve, which meant that the land could be held in perpetuity by them.

"This was 'taken over' arbitrarily by City Hall without any consultation with these landowners in the name of development," said Nazariah.

"The plan also goes against Article 89 and Article 123 of the Federal Constitution which states that Malay reserve land could only be held in perpetuity by a Malay and due process of removing the gazetted status of the land could only be decided in parliament.

"Should the land be regazetted, an alternative plot has to be allotted to the respective landowner. This was not done which renders the whole process as unconstitutional."

Her stand was echoed by Kampung Padang Balang Action Committee chairman Zainal Abidin Maas.

"Under the draft plan, the village has been labelled as a settlement of squatters and classified as 'old development' and we object to this.

"The village which is more than 100 years old has been developed over time with modern infrastructure. We are not against development but it has to be planned as it concerns our livelihood."

He also objected to the building of three LRT stations which were a kilometre apart at the village as the planned sites would cause a loss of land to the residents and there was no alternative land to which they could relocate.

Zainal said under the draft plan, a religious school with more than 700 students would also be demolished to make way for roads and a condominium complex.

"The land for this school was donated under religious obligations by various individuals and it is against Islamic principles to take this away," he said.

Urban villagers want a chance to own homes

By CHRISTINA LOW


RESIDENTS of Kampung Semarak, Kampung Loke Yew and Kampung Padang Tembak in Kuala Lumpur turned up for the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (DKLCP2020) with one hope in mind, to return home to where they once resided.

In 2007, the last batch of 800 families were relocated to PPR Air Panas in Setapak as the land was said to be earmarked for the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway (DUKE) project.

However, the residents’ legal adviser Latheefa Koya said under the DKLCP2020, the area had now been designated for high density development instead.

“We do not know what sort of development will be taking place but there is a possibility that a housing project may come up on the vacant land.

“The urban settlers want to have the right to buy houses there as some of them had been living there for more than 30 years before they vacated,” Latheefa said.

The hearing was chaired by Malaysian Institute of Planners member Mohd Ahyat Mohd Noor with panellists that included Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Malaysia (Rehda) branch secretary Tan Ching Meng, former DBKL deputy director-general Lau Lee Ching, former DBKL planning department director Abdul Rashid Ibrahim and Universiti Teknologi Mara academician, faculty of architecture, planning and surveying Prof Jamalunlali Abdullah.

Armed Forces retiree Azman Abdul Majid, 65 was satisfied with the outcome of the public hearing as he said the residents would leave it to the panellist to decide the final outcome.

“We are not demanding a home, we are just requesting that priority be given to us to buy a house there,” he said.

A step closer to becoming a world-class city
Wednesday March 25, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR is buzzing with activities. But the Umno general assembly, which began proceedings at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) on Tuesday and which will end on Friday, is not the only significant event taking place in the capital city this week.

As thousands of Umno delegates come to decide not only on the party’s but also the nation’s leadership, six international speakers are also here to explore along with hundreds of participants strategies and best practices that will help turn the nation’s capital into a world-class sustainable city.

For Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique, the timing of these two major events could not be any worse — or better — depending on one’s point of view. While he would very much like to be at the International Conference on World Class Sustainable Cities (WCSC) 2009 now being held at the Renaissance Hotel, the man who is also the Federal Territory Umno liaison chief could not possibly excuse himself from the Umno general assembly where he is one of the 51 candidates contesting for the 25 party supreme council seats.

On the other hand, Zulhasnan should relish the opportunity presented by this grand event of the country’s largest political party which allow the Umno delegates from every corner of Malaysia to assess his leadership quality as they see for themselves the progress Kuala Lumpur has made during his tenure as Federal Territories Minister.

“It is everyone’s vision to make our national capital, which is the heart of the country, a world-class city on par with the best in the world. That has been my vision and mission since my appointment as Federal Territories Minister in February, 2006,” said Zulhasnan who was also the sole Barisan Nasional candidate to win a seat in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur in last year’s general election.

“I may not be at the WCSC conference but that doesn’t make the event any less significant. And I can take comfort in the fact that I have played my part in initiating the event.”

“The results are not tangible and do not appear overnight as a beautiful picture for all to see. No one should underestimate the importance of events of this nature as they, along with the various overseas study trips and local retreats that we have had, will ultimately form the blueprint that helps shape the future of Kuala Lumpur as a world-class metropolitan,” he said before emphasising that “vision and action must be rolled into one for a goal to become a reality.”

Organised by the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association Federal Territory, the Malaysian Institute of Planners and the Malaysian Institute of Architects, the conference is yet another brainchild of the Federal Territories Minister in an effort to fulfil his mission following the workshop entitled “Towards a More Eifficient and Organisation of Modern and Sustainable Cities” held in Putrajaya in January.

The ideas and strategies discussed during the two-day event, which ends today, will be forwarded to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall for consideration in the finalisation of the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/3/25/central/3547492&sec=central

^^ i attended that conference. just an ordinary presentation. only the chung gye chun river regenaration project received big attention.

argh...i don't think REHDA (the organiser) could contribute in making KL a sustainable city if they themselves unwilling to even spare 10% of their development to be allocate as open space.

cutting hill slope, demolishing heritage buildings is NOT what 'sustainable' meant for.

sigh

Seputeh folk want study on railway project
Tuesday March 31, 2009
By CHRISTINA LOW

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/3/31/central/m_02shoplots.jpg

In the way: Shoplots in Jalan Sepadu, which is the main access point
for residents in Taman United, would have to be demolished if
a railway line is built here.

A PROPOSED railway project passing by parts of Seputeh to Pantai Dalam as stated in the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (DKLCP2020) is not being taken lightly by residents in the area.

“They can’t just come up with a railway line without conducting a separate study on the ridership of the public as well as discussing with the relevant bodies who are in charge of the public transportation system,” said Pratap Chandran Gopinanth, a resident who spoke at the public hearing session.

Pratap, who is also a town and environmental consultant, said the proposed project, which would run through Jalan Sepadu, the main access road leading to Taman United, was not a wise choice.

He added that the shophouses and houses nearby would have to be demolished if the said development was to take place.

The residents feel that Jalan Gembira and Jalan Mega would be a better alternative as the roads are wider and had more space.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who was present, said she did not understand why a hillock between Jalan Mega and Jalan Awan Besar had been proposed as a cemetery plot.

“It is a small area and facing the shopping mall. This spot should be a station for the train line instead.” The group also asked if a hospital could be added in the DKLCP2020 as the constituency had only one hospital in Taman Desa.

“Those seeking treatment at public hospitals will have to go to University Hospital as it is the nearest,” said Teresa.

The residents hope their views will be taken into consideration as the developments would affect many living in the area.

The hearing was conducted by academician Dr Alias Abdullah, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Institute for Environment and Development chairman Datin Paduka Dr Halimaton Saadiah Hashim and former DBKL building control and planning department director Chiam Soon Hock.

Rivers under threat
Stories by BAVANI M

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/4/14/central/m_pg01klangriver.jpg
IN most modern cities, rivers within their vicinity have become the focal point of business, resulting in heavy development and commercialisation of these primary natural resources.

The Seine River in Paris, the Singapore River in the Lion City, the Chao Phraya in Bangkok and the Thames in London, to name just a few famous ones, have all been turned into tourist destinations with massive commercial development around them.

In all these cities, businesses flourish along their river corridors and the aesthetic values the rivers offer to the city denizens such as scenic beauty, solitude, natural environment cannot be described with words but need to be experienced.

But, there is a heavy price to pay for the massive economic development and the blooming commercial activities along these rivers and within their vicinity.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/4/14/central/m_pg03jamek.jpg
Ugly sight: Rubbish from Sungai Klang stuck underneath the Masjid Jamek LRT Station.

These rivers are slowly being killed by the unrestrained development which is often accompanied by massive pollution and other ecological damages.

Kuala Lumpur has its share of rivers, and its two main casualties are the Klang and Gombak rivers, but all is not lost yet as the federal government has pledged to rejuvenate the two rivers.

A technical report on ways to rehabilitate the two rivers has been completed recently and is awaiting for a decision on implementation from the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister’s Department.

The report is the result of an extensive study and research conducted by the Federal Territories Ministry into various measures required to clean and regenerate the two of Klang Valley’s dirtiest rivers.

Meanwhile, Malaysia can learn something about the rejuvenation of rivers from South Korea.

At last month’s international conference on World Class Sustainable Cities 2009 (WCSC 2009), South Korean delegate Kie-Wook Kwon from the Seoul Metropolitan Government presented a paper on “Riverside Development & Restoration of Cheong Gye Cheon River in Seoul”.

He spoke of how the South Korean government implemented an inspiring project to rehabilitate the rivers in Seoul.

Kwon told StarMetro during a recent interview that both the Klang and Gombak rivers could easily be rehabilitated.

“It is feasible since the rivers in KL are free of traffic, unlike those in Seoul,” he said.

Kwon cited the Han river as an example where water was pumped from the upstream of the Han River into the Cheong Gye Cheon River in Seoul to treat the river.

“In KL this would not be a problem as one only has to deal with water quality, but it can be done,’’ he said.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Drainage and River Management Department director Hooi Yoke Meng agreed that rejuvenating both rivers could be done, but pointed out that it would cost a lot of money.

“Our main priority is flood mitigation, quality control is secondary,’’ he said.

In the case of the Han River, Hooi pointed out that it had cost the South Korean government some US300mil, which is more than RM1bil, to rehabilitate and the rejuvenation project only covered a 6km length of the river.

“The question is are we willing to spend that kind of money for our rivers? Hooi asked. The government’s recent stimulus package is only RM60bil and I would think that the government would have to prioritise,’’ Hooi said.

According to Hooi, the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020) recognises that rivers, other than being a mere conduit to convey storm water, have also amenity and aesthetic values and, hence, places emphasis on improving, enhancing these values.

Hooi said that measures to improve the quality of the rivers had been considered and consolidated in plans.

“Rivers are a good resource to a city and there is potential in developing the river corridors into tourists attraction,’’ he said.

But this would take time and money and is not a feasible plan for now. Perhaps for the time being, the government should take an educational approach to solve the current urgent pollution problem.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail, a passionate advocate for clean rivers, had said on numerous occasions that people should change their perception of rivers and look at them as a resource rather than their rubbish dumping ground.

Hence, educating the public on the importance of keeping the rivers clean is probably a much more effective long-term solution.

Government trying to rehabilitate KL rivers


DURING the 1900s, the confluence of Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak was a centre of commercial activities when traders would come in small sampans from Indonesia, docked at the confluence and conduct business there.

According to pioneer trader Maideen Kadir Shah, who owns shops at Wisma Yakin, his family came from Minang in Indonesia to set up trade and promote Islam at the spot, which used to be known as Kampung Rawa.

The early traders built two mosques in the area. Masjid India was originally built of wood in 1863, while Masjid Jamek, located at the meeting point of Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak, was built in 1907.

The two structures - undoubtedly the oldest mosques in KL – are testimony to the presence of the early traders and the importance of the rivers to the community in those days.

Today the government is trying its best to rehabilitate some of the KL rivers and is committed to prevent further destruction of the rivers as stated in the draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020).

According to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Drainage and River Management Department director Hooi Yoke Meng, after the primary objective of flood mitigation is achieved, the DBKL will work on improving the water quality of the rivers.

“Once the water quality is clean, there is plenty of potential in developing the river front as rivers will be fronting people’s front doors instead of back door,’’ Hooi said, adding that the economic potential were numerous.

Hooi said the priority focus of the KLCP2020 were progressive improvements of the Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak located within the city centre and along other rivers located outside the city centre where opportunities to create localised pedestrian connectivity along the river exit.

The KLCP2020 lists three major plans to improve the river quality:

(1) A designating riverside corridor where development on land located

within the corridor will need to be more sympathetic to the river by

taking measures to front the river and to provide public spaces

fronting the river;

(2) Removing industrial activities along river reserves and within river corridor; and

(3) Controlling land use and activities on land located within riverside corridor to eliminate polluting activities directly abutting rivers.

The proposed beautification project covers the Sungai Klang, Sungai Gombak, Sungai Kerayong and Sungai Kuyoh, and involves landscaping and treatment of river edge, treatment of river buffer, integration of activities as river nodes, provisions of continuous trails for walking, jogging and cycling.

The potential river activities for Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak within the city centre are between Putra World Trade Centre LRT station and Jalan Tun Razak, the Quality Hotel and the DBKL complex, Jalan Parlimen and Leboh Pasar Besar, the Masjid Jamek LRT and Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Tan Cheng Lock and Leboh Pasar Besar, and Pasar Seni and Jalan Damansara and the Klang bus station.

The existing shop lots along the area will be encouraged to develop the river front with al fresco activities, footpaths would be pedestrianised, river from residential and commercial buildings would be created and much more.

^^some work of Klang River beautification already done at the Angkasapuri. a very nice broad grass terrace. :okay:

Tanah rizab Melayu 'musnah'

Oleh JUNHAIRI ALYASA
junhairi.alyasa@kosmo.com.my


http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0420/Kosmo/Negara/ne_02.1.jpg
DARI kiri, Zainal Abidin, Abdul Aziz, Aziz Bari dan Siti Zainon menyertai Kongres Memperkasa Perkampungan Tradisi Melayu Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur di Gombak semalam.

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KUALA LUMPUR - Majlis Permuafakatan Perkampungan Tradisi Melayu Wilayah Persekutuan (Muafakat) membantah hasrat Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) untuk membangunkan enam buah kampung tradisi di sekitar ibu negara kerana ia merupakan tanah rizab Melayu.


http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0420/Kosmo/Negara/ne_02.2.jpg
Kedudukan enam Kampung Melayu.

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Menurut Setiausaha Muafakat, Shaharudin Mahmud, pihaknya bimbang jika hasrat itu seperti mana yang dirancang mengikut Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur (KLCP) 2020 yang dilancarkan sejak pertengahan tahun lalu itu diteruskan, ia akan membawa kemusnahan kepada kampung tradisi dan hak milik orang Melayu pula semakin kecil.

Malah tegas beliau, pengambilan tanah di semua kampung yang berstatus tanah pertanian kekal itu adalah bertentangan dengan Artikel 153 Perlembagaan berhubung tanah rizab Melayu.

"Kita bimbang apabila tanah itu diambil dan ia tidak diganti semula selaras dengan tuntutan perlembagaan yang mewajibkan kerajaan menggantikan tanah rizab yang telah diambil.

"Malah DBKL juga gagal untuk mematuhi Seksyen 12 A, Akta 201 yang memerlukan pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) mendapatkan pandangan daripada penduduk setempat mengenai rancangan pembangunan yang ingin dilakukan di sesuatu kawasan,'' katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika membacakan resolusi Kongres Memperkasa Perkampungan Tradisi Melayu Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur di hadapan 200 orang penduduk di Anjung Rahmat, Batu 6, Jalan Gombak di sini semalam.

Semua kampung yang terlibat ialah Kampung Puah, Kampung Sungai Merali, Kampung Bandar Dalam, Kampung Sungai Mulia, Kampung Padang Balang dan Kampung


http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0420/Kosmo/Negara/ne_02.3.jpg

Tanah rizab Melayu 'musnah'

Oleh JUNHAIRI ALYASA
junhairi.alyasa@kosmo.com.my


http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0420/Kosmo/Negara/ne_02.1.jpg
DARI kiri, Zainal Abidin, Abdul Aziz, Aziz Bari dan Siti Zainon menyertai Kongres Memperkasa Perkampungan Tradisi Melayu Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur di Gombak semalam.


http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0420/Kosmo/Negara/ne_02.2.jpg
Kedudukan enam Kampung Melayu.

http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2009/0420/Kosmo/Negara/ne_02.3.jpg

it's ok to retain the land status and the kampung, but please lah pakcik-pakcik and makcik-makcik sekalian, jaga lah kawasan tu biar nampak elok sikit...!! takder lah macam setinggan plak...

Transforming Kuala Lumpur Into A World Class City
May 06, 2009 12:26 PM
By Farizalina Ishak

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is all out to transform Kuala Lumpur's image into a world-class city with its dwellers enjoying good infrastructure and living standards at par with the other great cities of the world.

The Datuk Bandar of Kuala Lumpur Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail noted that the transformed Kuala Lumpur would be seen as the dynamic commercial and financial hub of the nation with the whole city exuding the 'Malaysia Truly Asia' identity.

At the same time the city will offer a comprehensive living concept making it the perfect place to work, play and unwind.

It is estimated that there are at least 2.7 million people in Kuala Lumpur; the number includes those who commute daily from outside to work in the city or make a stopover.

Nonetheless, KLites will ponder whether this new image of Kuala Lumpur is just another hogwash ideals of the town planners detached from the present realities, especially when looking at the many woes faced by the city today.

But for Ahmad Fuad, he is optimistic that transforming Kuala Lumpur is not a tall order. He believes the vision for the city can be achieved by keeping up with the goals that have already been set.

GETTING TO WORK

During a special interview with Bernama here recently, Ahmad Fuad stated that the transformation would also include more effective enforcement of the by-laws and policies beginning from within DBKL.

A world class Kuala Lumpur has no room for either squatter colonies or illegal car parks and this is where strict enforcement comes into play, he pointed out.

Ahmad Fuad who was appointed as the Datuk Bandar on Dec 14, 2008, is going all out to improve the city's administration by taking into account all public views and problems in line with the government's stand that the people come first.

He noted that efforts to green the city deepen Sungai Gombak and enhance the surrounding landscape, and the proposed two retention ponds to alleviate flash floods are among the priorities.

On traffic jams, he noted that DBKL is looking into the possibility of introducing the "Park & Ride" concept for vehicle owners to reduce traffic snarls at the Klang Valley.

THE PARK & RIDE CONCEPT

He said the system has been proven effective in several other nations and is currently being studied by DBKL.

"Park & Ride basically calls for people to park their cars at any nearby Light Rail Transit (LRT) station and use the LRT to proceed to their respective destination.

"Each day, almost one million vehicles enter the nation's capital and therefore traffic jams are unavoidable regardless of peak or non peak periods. Therefore it is timely we introduce such new steps," he added.

However, Ahmad Fuad is aware of the many setbacks suffered by the members of public in using public transportation modes like the LRT to get to work due to the limited passenger capacity and rail networks.

CCTV TO MONITOR TRAFFIC CONGESTION

He added that DBKL is also utilising closed circuit cameras (CCTVs) to monitor traffic congestion, through the Integrated Transport Information System (Itis) in Bukit Jalil that provides information to road users so that they can plan their routes during peak and off peak periods.

He noted that, until now DBKL has installed 1,100 CCTVs under the Itis System with 66 of it being used to monitor traffic flow in the city.

"DBKL is also planning to increase from 85 to 96 the number of CCTVs monitored by police in busy areas, shopping complexes and places where tourists congregate," he said.

He pointed out there are 49 locations within the city under police CCTV surveillance including in Brickfields and Cheras.

"DBKL finds that the CCTV helps in bringing down crime especially snatch thefts in high risk areas.

BRINGING DOWN CRIME RATES

Ahmad Fuad explained that DBKL is always in communication with the police in seeking alternatives to reduce crime.

"We always consider other options in reducing crime, crime blemishes the nation's image," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Fuad and all members of DBKL welcome the appointment of Senator Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin as the new Federal Territories Minister.

"We welcome the appointment and hope he (Raja Nong) can continue with the outlined agenda apart from embarking on the transformation sought by the city dwellers."

He hoped that under the new leadership some of the long standing problems like the one relating to solid waste disposal could be overcome.

A WORLD CLASS CITY

"DBKL spends RM140 million annually to enable Alam Flora Sdn Bhd (Alam Flora) collect and dispose rubbish and solid wastes at the 252 licensed disposal sites," he said.

Most of the hawkers discard waste into drains, which in turn causes blockages and there are even some who cover the drains to widen their work area, said Ahmad Fuad.

He also pointed out that the drainage system in Kuala Lumpur covers 5,300 kilometers and Alam Flora has began efforts to clean up the drains since more than a month ago and the whole campaign is expected to be completed within two months.

"The public too should cooperate to overcome this problem by settling their monthly dues for rubbish and solid waste collection.

"There are some who choose to default on their payments and litter everywhere, this is the mentality that we have to do away if we are to see Kuala Lumpur emerge as a world class city," he added.

Apart from that, DBKL too has spent a considerable sum in improving the road system around the capital city, introduce walking pavements and make the facilities more disabled friendly.

-- BERNAMA

http://bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsfeatures.php?id=409104

'KLCP 2020 nafi hak kami'

Oleh NAZMIL NASIRUDDIN
kota@utusan.com.my




KUALA LUMPUR 12 Mei - Penduduk di dua kawasan di sekitar ibu negara mempertikaikan Draf Pelan Bandar Raya Kuala Lumpur 2020 (KLCP 2020) yang tidak memasukkan kawasan penempatan mereka ke dalam pelan itu.

Penasihat Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor dan Wilayah Persekutuan (Permas), Tan Joe Hann berkata, kawasan yang terlibat ialah Rumah Panjang Jinjang Utara dan Kampung Chubadak di Sentul.

Katanya, penduduk di kawasan yang terlibat bimbang 'ketiadaan' penempatan mereka itu akan menafikan hak mereka yang sudah lama menetap di kawasan tersebut.

"Mereka yang terlibat adalah penduduk asal yang telah menetap di kawasan itu sebelum pembangunan pesat dijalankan di seluruh Kuala Lumpur.

"Kebanyakan mereka ini terdiri daripada peneroka bandar, penghuni rumah panjang dan penghuni rumah kos rendah yang terdiri dari golongan berpendapatan rendah," katanya ketika mewakili penduduk kawasan berkenaan semasa sesi bantahan KLCP 2020 di sini.

Sementara itu, seorang penduduk Kampung Chubadak, Siti Solehah Khusaini, 45, berkata, penduduk kampung itu sepatutnya diberikan pembelaan sewajarnya, bukannya diusir keluar.

Menurutnya, kampung tersebut telah diwujudkan oleh peneroka-peneroka awal Kuala Lumpur sejak tahun 1850 lagi.

"Selain itu, kawasan kampung ini pernah digazetkan sebagai Tanah Rizab Melayu sebelum dibatalkan pada tahun 1930.

"Kampung ini sepatutnya dikekalkan menjadi kampung tradisi kerana penghuni-penghuni kawasan ini membangunkan kampung ini dengan titik peluh mereka sendiri.

"Ini kerana kawasan ini dulunya merupakan kawasan tanah lombong," katanya ketika ditemui selepas sesi bantahan itu.

Beliau memberitahu, ketiadaan kawasan kampung tersebut dalam KLCP 2020 menunjukkan kewujudan kampung itu tidak diiktiraf dan membayangkan yang mereka bakal diusir keluar dari kawasan itu.

"Sebab itu kami datang ke sesi bantahan ini supaya pihak Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) sedar akan masalah ini dan memberikan pertimbangan sewajarnya," jelasnya.

Siti Solehah berkata, setelah membentangkan hujah dalam sesi bantahan itu, pihaknya berharap soal keciciran itu akan mendapat perhatian daripada kerajaan.

"Kami sudah tidak tahu ke mana lagi harus diajukan masalah yang membelenggu kehidupan kami selama ini," ujarnya.

Dia mendakwa, walaupun sesi bantahan itu masih belum selesai, notis untuk mengosongkan rumah telah pun dikeluarkan.

Tambahnya, arahan itu amat membimbangkan penduduk kerana mereka tidak tahu ke mana akan tinggal nanti.

Sekiranya ingkar, katanya, tindakan mahkamah akan diambil oleh pihak pemaju.

Dalam pada itu, wakil penduduk Rumah Panjang Jinjang Utara, M. Arumugam, 45, pula berkata, tindakan 'menghilangkan' kawasan perumahan mereka daripada pelan pembangunan Kuala Lumpur adalah tidak wajar.

Katanya, ia seolah-olah menafikan hak penduduk yang sudah tinggal di situ sejak sekian lama.

"Kami amat kecewa dengan tindakan ini kerana sebelum ini, kami dipindahkan ke kawasan itu. Sepatutnya, kami diberikan penempatan lain atau rumah kos rendah.

"Tetapi setelah 17 tahun menetap di sini, masih tiada tindakan yang dilakukan untuk membantu kami," jelasnya.

Katanya, rumah yang didiami sekarang juga sudah tidak sesuai untuk diduduki kerana ia dibina menggunakan kepingan asbestos yang boleh membahayakan kesihatan.

"Justeru itu, kami berharap agar nasib kami tidak abaikan dan dipinggirkan. KLCP 2020 seharusnya dinikmati oleh semua golongan masyarakat dan bukan untuk golongan tertentu sahaja," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, jurucakap panel mendengar bantahan itu berkata, keseluruhan peta kawasan tersebut akan dikeluarkan dalam jilid yang akan datang.

Jelasnya, ia tidak bermakna kawasan perumahan terbabit dihilangkan dari KLCP 2020.

instead of demolishing those villages,y dont DBKL comes up with a plan to gazette those areas as heritage villages to attract tourists and to preserve the malay identity same as chinatown or little india..beautify the areas and mantainance works must continue then...dont let globalisation destroy our own culture

S'il vous plait, when does a squatter settlements becomes a cultural village?
I dont said I agreed with wat DBKL done, they should provide a proper avenues and accommodation for the squatters but to preserve them I dont think so, would you yourself want to live there? I don think so

instead of demolishing those villages,y dont DBKL comes up with a plan to gazette those areas as heritage villages to attract tourists and to preserve the malay identity same as chinatown or little india..beautify the areas and mantainance works must continue then...dont let globalisation destroy our own culture

dude, you should go to the place and see yourself either it can be called 'heritage village' or 'reban ayam'.....

reban ayam MUST be destroyed!

ok destroy the reban ayam n construct new structures for the villagers..im not oppose the development..i just think that dbkl now tend to be a corporation rather than a municipal council,dont they?
during this hard time,a new DBKL tower isnt needed by anyone(except mayor) but providing a better life for the citizens must be their priority..dont u think so?

anyway,heres top 50 cities offering the best quality of life.

http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html

1.vienna
2.zurich
3.geneva

weird tho,those 3 cities doesnt even have any twin towers lol..hope by 2020 kl will be among those cities where we all can call "home".

DBKL is neither corporate nor municipal council. DBKL has no direction! they're not even follow the city plan 2020.

anyway, there's a plan to revamp the structure of KL municipal council to decentralise. meaning that we going to have smaller municipal council for KL area....

this is what being practised by Japan and HK as far as i concern....

best quality of life...yup, this is what KL must be!

ya..they should have know that most local residents cant afford to buy any new properties here..then??here come more foreigners..and how thats going benefit us?

upgrading infrastructure and building affordable houses in kl area should be their main focus..dont let the high-class condo syndrom around klcc spread away..

xnak la last2 skali kite sume dok area bentong je sbb kl dh jadi "world-class city for world-class people"..

ya..they should have know that most local residents cant afford to buy any new properties here..then??here come more foreigners..and how thats going benefit us?

upgrading infrastructure and building affordable houses in kl area should be their main focus..dont let the high-class condo syndrom around klcc spread away..

xnak la last2 skali kite sume dok area bentong je sbb kl dh jadi "world-class city for world-class people"..

Thanks. This is what I'm afraid most!! And it is happening!! Those luxury condos development really start to spill it's negative effect. Damn.

...top 50 cities offering the best quality of life.

http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html

1.vienna
2.zurich
3.geneva

.
.
26. singapore :cheers:
35.tokyo
38.yokohama
40.kobe
44.osaka

This year’s ranking also identifies the cities with the best infrastructure based on electricity supply, water availability, telephone and mail services, public transport provision, traffic congestion and the range of international flights from local airports.Singapore is at the top of this index (score 109.1) followed by Munich in second place and Copenhagen in third. Japanese cities Tsukuba (4) and Yokohama (5) fill the next two slots, whilst Düsseldorf and Vancouver share sixth place. Baghdad ranks at the bottom of the table with a score of only 19.6.


congratz to our neighbour..dont c as far as japan lah..
c ur rival first

cheers

For city infrastructure, Singapore has the highest score world-wide (109.1). The city boasts an airport with excellent facilities and connections, as well as an efficient and extensive public transport network. Other high rankers in the region include Hong Kong (8), Sydney (11) and Tokyo (12). Dhaka ranks lowest in the region at 197.

The world's top cities offering the best infrastructure
(New York City is the base city with a score of 100 points)
2009 Rank

City Country

1 Singapore Singapore

2 Munich Germany

3 Copenhagen Denmark

4 Tsukuba Japan

5 Yokohama Japan

ya..they should have know that most local residents cant afford to buy any new properties here..then??here come more foreigners..and how thats going benefit us?

upgrading infrastructure and building affordable houses in kl area should be their main focus..dont let the high-class condo syndrom around klcc spread away..

xnak la last2 skali kite sume dok area bentong je sbb kl dh jadi "world-class city for world-class people"..

I don't that is something that we all can't avoid. It is the same case all over major cities in the world.

I don't think there are many local english people who have properties in central London.

bentong will be highly developed some day too...u know how its spread..so dont worry too much kawan.

Its a same case with high developed cities in the world,more and more middle income groups have to buy properties outside of the city like Japan and UK, it can be avoided as the city core properties will go sky rocket in near future

anyway,heres top 50 cities offering the best quality of life.

http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html

1.vienna
2.zurich
3.geneva


I'm just wonder that no chinese cities in the world's top cities offering the best quality of life!!!
BTW Beijing has moved three places in the ranking, up from 116 to 113, mainly due to improvements in public transport facilities from the 2008 Olympic Games.

anyway,heres top 50 cities offering the best quality of life.
http://www.citymayors.com/features/quality_survey.html

1.vienna
2.zurich
3.geneva

I found some intereting datas!
Quality of Living global city rankings 2009 – Mercer survey
Source: http://www.mercer.com/qualityoflivingpr
Source: http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm?id=ZAWYA20090428071553

> #71

http://images.zawya.com/images/features/hs_042809_img3.jpg

Quality of living 2009
KUALA LUMPUR # 75
JOHOR BAHRU # 106

City infrastructure rankings 2009 – Mercer survey
> #8

http://images.zawya.com/images/features/hs_042809_img8.jpg
http://images.zawya.com/images/features/hs_042809_img9.jpg

City infrastructure 2009
JOHOR BAHRU # 81
KUALA LUMPUR # 82

mayb the problems is the traffic at KL compare to JB

johor have tg pelepas,pasir gudang,tg langsat

kuala lumpur havent yet decided wether to build a port:bash:

Infrastructure
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Infrastructure can be defined as the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, [1] or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function. [2] The term typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, water supply, sewers, power grids, telecommunications, and so forth. Viewed functionally, infrastructure facilitates the production of goods and services; for example, roads enable the transport of raw materials to a factory, and also for the distribution of finished products to markets. In some contexts, the term may also include basic social services such as schools and hospitals [3]. In military parlance, the term refers to the buildings and permanent installations necessary for the support, redeployment, and operation of military forces [4].

johor have tg pelepas,pasir gudang,tg langsat

kuala lumpur havent yet decided wether to build a port:bash:

are you crazy? does KL has coastline? giler apa?

West Port, North Port tu...apa?

bentong will be highly developed some day too...u know how its spread..so dont worry too much kawan.

should be..malaysia is for malaysian
:cheers:

are you crazy? does KL has coastline? giler apa?

West Port, North Port tu...apa?

haha joke oni
:cheers:

Port Klang is under the jurisdiction of the Klang Municipal Council (MPK)
-wikipedia
both ports locate far from city+the highway also not so effective

KL history isnt any similar to any other cities..
just let say...if Malacca Sultanate still exist,the city may be the capital of our country bcos the urbanization focus around the port..

sad..coloniser 'destroyed' it:ohno:

New Urbanism

New Urbanism was a movement which started in the 1990s. New Urbanism believes in shifting design focus from the car-centric development of suburbia and the business park, to concentrated pedestrian and transit-centric, walk able, mixed-use communities. New Urbanism is an amalgamation of old-world design patterns, merged with present day demands. It is a backlash to the age of suburban sprawl, which splintered communities, and isolated people from each other, as well as had severe environmental impacts. Concepts for New Urbanism include people and destinations into dense, vibrant communities, and decreasing dependency on vehicular transportation as the primary mode of transit.

maybe this is a good idea?
i think Putrajaya have the quality..just build some more middle-cost apartments so that more gov staff move there
just IMO

johor have tg pelepas,pasir gudang,tg langsat

kuala lumpur havent yet decided wether to build a port:bash:

But KL have KLIA&LCCT, Subang Skypark, Sungei Besi Airport!

Isu bina LRT tunggu bantahan Draf Pelan KL


KUALA LUMPUR: Penduduk Kampung Padang Balang di sini diminta menunggu keputusan penuh mengenai bantahan terhadap Draf Pelan Kuala Lumpur 2020 (DPBRKL 2020) Ogos ini selepas jawatankuasa yang dilantik selesai mengkaji semua perkara.

Menteri Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin berkata, penduduk diminta bersabar kerana jawatankuasa kini sedang meneliti semua bantahan dan membuat kajian terperinci mengenai setiap bantahan yang dikemukakan.

“Saya menerima maklumat penduduk di sini tidak berpuas hati dengan cadangan pembinaan stesen LRT serta projek perumahan mewah yang akan didirikan atas tanah mereka dan mendakwa Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) tidak mengadakan perbincangan terlebih dulu.

“Bantahan boleh dikemukakan sehingga Jun ini dengan mengemukakan surat dan asas yang kukuh bagi membolehkan jawatankuasa dilantik menjalankan kajian menyeluruh mengenai sesuatu isu yang dikemukakan,” katanya selepas merasmikan Majlis Jubli Perak Masjid Saidina Ali di sini, semalam.

Raja Nong Chik berkata, selepas menerima maklum balas penduduk, kita akan teliti dan siasat sama ada ia berasas sebelum dibincangkan.

“Apa pun kami sentiasa akan mengambil kira semua faktor kerana tidak mahu kampung ini tertinggal dari segi pembangunan. Apa juga keputusannya, saya harap kedua-dua pihak mendapat manfaat yang sama.

“Melalui tinjauan saya, projek LRT yang terdapat dalam DPBRKL 2020 berhampiran dengan sekolah agama dan ia boleh memudahkan pergerakan kanak-kanak ke sekolah. Namun kami juga akan meneliti lain-lain faktor sama ada ia sesuai atau pun tidak diwujudkan di situ,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Bertindak Penduduk, Zainal Abidin Maas, 67, berkata kesemua penduduk kampung terbabit mengemukakan bantahan ke atas DPBRKL 2020 kerana tidak

mengambil kira faktor warisan dan pusaka penduduk kampung berkenaan.

"Kami tidak mahu perkara ini berlaku kerana kawasan ini diteroka sejak lebih 100 tahun lalu. Kami juga rasa terhina apabila kampung ini dikatakan kawasan setinggan dan usang," katanya.

S'pore most liveable city in SEA
It ranks 54th among 140 cities globally; Canadian, Aussie cities top ranking
June 10, 2009

LONDON: Singapore is among the four most liveable cities in Asia - after Osaka, Tokyo and Hong Kong - and ranks 54th worldwide, according to the latest assessment of 140 cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Canadian and Australian cities did well in the assessment, taking six of the top 10 spots in the rankings, which were based on ratings assigned to 30 factors across five broad categories - stability, health care, education, infrastructure, culture and environment.

Vancouver came in first, followed by Vienna and Melbourne.

Toronto was fourth while Perth was joint fifth with Calgary in Canada, with Sydney sharing ninth place with Zurich in Switzerland.

US cities were well down the list. Pittsburgh, which ranked highest among US cities, was in 29th place. New York at No.56 was two notches below Singapore.

The cities were given ratings ranging from zero (intolerable) to 100 (ideal).

Overall, cities in the United States and Europe fared better than those in Asia and Africa, where, the survey noted, 'civil instability and poor infrastructure present significant challenges'.

Singapore, top among South-east Asian nations, scored 88.5, putting it ahead of Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, which came in 79th and 123rd, respectively.

Asia and Australasia as a group scored below the global average for all the categories, except stability.

The highest-ranked Asian cities in the list were Japan's Osaka (13th) and Tokyo (joint 19th with Frankfurt, Germany), Hong Kong (an equal 39th with Madrid, Spain), Singapore (54th) and Seoul, South Korea (58th). The lowest-ranked city in South-east Asia was Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which came in 128th. -- AFP

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_388337.html

What the minister says...
2009/07/21

http://streets.nst.com.my/Tuesday/Stories/20090721011800/insidepix1

Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin says his main
priority is to improve the living condition of the city’s poor.

KUALA LUMPUR: It has been 100 days since Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin was appointed the Federal Territories Minister on April 14.

While he is focused on making Kuala Lumpur a world-class city, his main priority is still the improvement of the living condition of the poor.

He said his work is guided by the 7Ps — Pembangunan (development); Perumahan (housing opportunity for the poor); Penjaja dan Peniaga Kecil (hawkers and petty traders); Pengangkutan (transportation); Penyelenggaraan Prasana dan Kemudahan Awam (maintenance of infrastructure and public amenities); Perkhidmatan dan Penguatkuasaan (delivery of service and enforcement); and Prihatin (concern towards grouses and complaints by the public).

Raja Nong Chik said as the Umno Lembah Pantai division chairman, he still spends time with the people in the area but what used to be an hour-long discussion was now shortened to 15 minutes because of his tight schedule.

He meets the people at least three or four times a week and interacts with the public on the online social networking website, Facebook. He also has his own blog and uses Tweeter to keep in touch with the public.

In conjunction with his 100th day in office today, Raja Nong Chik shared his views on several issues which are close to his heart:

l On improving living condition of the poor:

It is still my main priority to improve the living condition of the city’s poor, especially those with a household income of less than RM1,500 monthly. I am not only looking at providing them with a better place to stay but also an improved maintenance of low-cost flats and job opportunities.

This can be done by awarding them hawker’s licences to help them increase their income. We can also help them by providing them with a house which is near their workplace as they will be able to cut down on transport expenses. An improved public transport will also be a big help to these people.
We are also extending financial aid through the Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (Federal Territories Foundation) including to single mothers and the disabled and also those in need of medical aid.

l On improving delivery service and enforcement by City Hall:

I have always stressed the importance of being promptquick in responding to complaints by residents. There are certain things that need time (for deliberation) before action is taken but we have to keep the complainants informed of the status of their reports.

City Hall needs to buck up in its enforcement, but they must do it with due consideration for the people.

l On traffic jam and insufficient parking in the city:

There is only one way to overcome these problems — improve the public transport system. Currently, the ratio of people driving compared to those who use public transport is 70 per cent to 30 per cent. It is supposed to be the other way around.In order to reduce traffic jam, we have to increase the number of people taking bus and trains to travel, thus reducing the number of vehicles on the road. At the same time, it will also solve the insufficient parking space and indiscriminate parking in the city.

Transport is under another ministry, but we can help to achieve this goal by working closely with them by giving our feedback and facilitating the process. The same goes with issues involving other government agencies.

l On the revival of the Plaza Rakyat project and the opening of the RM70 million integrated transport hub at Bandar Tasik Selatan:

We have to do something about the Plaza Rakyat project which has been stalled for years. We have given an ultimatum to the developer — either they resume work or we will find another company to do it. I hope to see some progress soon.

As for the Bandar Tasik Selatan hub, I have gathered some feedback from residents who are worried that the hub will worsenadd more traffic on the already congested road there. Once the project is completed next year, we will see about 500 express buses coming in and out of the area daily. City Hall is working on finding a solution to the problem.

l On grouses raised by residents on the KL Draft Plan:

I have to admit that there were certain things in the draft plan which were done without consulting the residents. I have to focus issue by issue while still having the overall interest of the public in mind.

Take Kampung Padang Balang, for instance. It is a Malay reserve land, so the residents are obviously upset with the development plan which includes extending the light rail transit (LRT) line, which will take up some of the plots. Sure, the residents there as well as other KLites had the opportunity to voice out their grouses during the public hearing, but prior consultation should have been carried out beforehand.

I have to make sure that the residents’ rights to their land are not violated just for the sake of development. In making decisions on the draft plan, I have to look at what is being presented to me by the committee in-charge of the public hearing, get some feedback from the mayor, Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail, and also from the residents.

I remember going to my parents’ house in Petaling Jaya and having to put up with the noise from an LRT project in their backyard. But it is for the benefit of the public and now I can hardly notice the train passing by whenever I’m there (laughs).

l On the extension of the Keramat Mall:

We are in the midst of acquiring land to build an extension to the existing Keramat Mall. The Datuk Keramat hawkers and petty traders had previously refused to move into the new complex as they were unhappy with the layout. But we are now involving them in the design and planning.

We always must have the stakeholders in mind when making decisions. In this case, the stakeholders are the residents and the hawkers. If they are not happy with the development, then our efforts will go to waste. That is why it is important to get their feedback beforehand.

l On Kampung Baru redevelopment:

I can’t say much at this moment as I have yet to meet the residents there. All I can say is that the landowners will not lose out.

l On keeping in touch with the public through Facebook:

My children taught me how to use Facebook after getting my wife to sign up. It is a useful tool for me to get feedback, especially from youngsters, who mainly use the Internet. It also serves as a platform for me to gather suggestions and views from the public. I may not be able to meet everyone but I can reach out to them through this channel. I am on Facebook every Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm.

I have my own blog and I’m also active on Tweeter to keep the public informed of my activities.

As much as I want to spend more time meeting the people, I also need to do a lot of reading which will help me make informed decisions. If I spend too much time outside, I will not have the time to study the proposed plans and will end up making mistakes.

KL City Plan To Be Gazetted In October 2010
December 07, 2009 17:13 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020)is expected to be gazetted in October 2010.

Federal Territories Deputy Minister Datuk M.Saravanan said the cost incurred in coming up with the draft plan amounted to RM15,807,100 up to September 2009, and the plan was now at the amendment stage.

"This process which began in March 2009 will go on until October 2010," he said in reply to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) who asked about the status of the KLCP2020 and the cost involved up to September 2009.

Saravanan said there were four main stages in the process of accepting and gazetting the plan, namely amending the draft plan, publicity on the amendments, perusing the draft plan and amendments by the minister, and preparing the KLCP2020.

In providing the breakdown of the cost involved, he said RM12,229,900 went to preparing the draft plan, RM3,196,500 to the printing, exhibition, website and publicity costs, RM76,500 to the briefings held, and RM304,200 to the public hearings and obtaining feedback on the draft plan.

To a supplementary question, Saravanan said the ministry was sensitive to public needs and took into consideration their feedback in scrutinising, reviewing and amending parts of the draft plan seen as burdening the people.

"The government aims to make Kuala Lumpur a conducive city for its residents," he said.

-- BERNAMA

KL Draft Plan complaints still accepted
Tuesday May 18, 2010
http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/5/18/central/6279211&sec=central

WRITTEN complaints on the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020 are still being accepted by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said yesterday.

Fuad invited participants of the Realising People-Friendly Public Transport workshop organised by DBKL to send in their suggestions and opinions through letters if they did not manage to do so during the two-day event.

“So far, we have received some 62,000 complaints by more than 5,000 individuals and non-governmental organisations (NGO) over various issues.

“We will take everything into consideration when amending the draft plan before it is gazetted,” Fuad said.

Participants of the workshop include MPs, residents associations (RA), NGOs and corporations.

“The first workshop was held in April where representatives of RAs were briefed on the efforts being carried out to increase the quality of life in the city,” Fuad said.

He added that this was an initiative by City Hall to get the public more involved and was not limited by legal requirements.

Fuad also said a few more workshops would be conducted to discuss various other draft plan aspects, including cleanliness.

Currently, City Hall is preparing an amendment to the plan while taking into account the suggestions in the Public Hearing and Opinion Consideration Report.

“The draft plan has taken an integrated approach in introducing a more sustainable and environment-friendly public transport system to enhance the urban living environment,” Fuad said.

He added that this would increase land use efficiency which was important as Kuala Lumpur had almost reached the saturated physical development level.

Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020 consultant JM Planning and Urban Design Group Sdn Bhd managing director Norliza Hashim said the public asked for a lot but might not be aware of the impact of what they were asking.

“The workshop is a good way to get more public feedback and furnish them with more information on the draft plan’s various aspects” Norliza said.

“We need to change the mindset of the people where want amenities but not near their homes.

“It is very difficult to balance the economics with the people’s wants,” Norliza said, adding that the draft plan when gazetted would provide more transparency.

She also said she was looking forward to the Public Land Transport Commission (SPAD) and what it could do to help the public transportation system.

Fuad said there were 13 departments and various agencies responsible in managing the public transport system which resulted in overlapping of functions and thus problems in planning an efficient system.

“To solve this problem, the government has set up the Public Land Transport Commission as the sole authority to monitor and enforce service quality and to prepare middle- to long-term city plans,” Fuad said.

July date for gazette of KL Plan
By BAVANI M Wednesday October 5, 2011
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/10/5/central/9631316&sec=central

The Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 will be gazetted on July 1 next year to include the Greater KL Plan, the MRT project and additional infrastructure.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said he wanted to clear the air as he had made a promise to the people that the draft plan would be gazetted.

“The two volumes are ready for gazettement and have been sent to the Attorney-General’s chambers,’’ added Fuad.

According to the mayor, changes are also being made to reconsider the views of stakeholders who are asking for more time to reach a win-win situation in their neighbourhoods.

In the case of Jalan Maarof in Bangsar, there had been requests by two groups in the area over the land status issue.

Fuad said the landowners were re-negotiating with the residents associations to come up with an amicable solution to satisfy both parties.

“We take in everyone’s views on this which is in line with the government’s wishes of putting people first,’’ he said.

Fuad said Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and even the Prime Minister had agreed that some of the observations and feedback made by the people had merit and should be taken into account.

The mayor said the plan was launched in May 2008, and was put on public display until August 2008.

DBKL had spent a year conducting public hearings with various residents associations, developers, non-governmental organisations and religious groups which ended on June 2009.

A total of 5,052 representations involving 62, 224 views, feedback, objections, suggestions and ideas by stakeholders in the city had been scrutinised by City Hall and by the draft plan’s Public Opinion Hearing Committee.

City Hall carried out six seminars and workshops on public transportation, green areas and public amenities throughout last year to engage the public on the changes and feedback given by them.

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