Seeing Jan's recent album on the destruction of the forest on Bukit Lanjan, it inspired me to do this album of the destruction at Taman Seputeh by the Vasana development.
Vasana is a Berjaya project, and Berjaya part of Vincent Tan's empire, one of the richest men in Malaysia. His empire is enormous and includes property, resorts, toto, gaming, Starbucks, Kenny Rogers, etc etc etc. The condo I used to live in, Robson Condo was also Berjaya group and is right next to the Vasana development. However as the development was at the side, it wasn't really visible. The condo that did suffer was Bukit Robson as it looked right down onto the development and adjoined it.
Part of the land has been cleared for some time, at least 10 years looking at Google Earth images. But the surrounding area was nicely forested and green. Until Feb 2008 when my friend living in Bukit Robson told me they had started clearing the hillside. Within 10 days, the trees had all gone.
By June a retaining wall had been built at the top of the slope. Work continued very quickly and soon the 4 storey houses, each with swimming pool and lift, were taking shape. Luckily my place at Robson Condo was at right angles to the site so I couldn't see much, but I could hear the pile driving and other noises. I felt sorry for the residents of Bukit Robson and the houses right in front of the project.
The sales pitch is: "Berjaya Land Bhd (BLand) will be launching luxurious link bungalows in Taman Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur. The project, named Vasana 25, will have a gross development value (GDV) of RM109 million, and will be built on two hectares of freehold land.
The Vasana development will be launched in early 2008 and will comprise 22 link bungalows and three bungalows. The link bungalows, which will be priced from RM3 million, will have built-up areas of 4,000 to 5,000 sq ft and land areas of 5,000 to 7,000 sq ft. Some of the link bungalows which will be built on higher ground will come complete with elevators.
BLand properties marketing general manager Mah Siew Wan said that she expects the three-storey bungalows to be "very well-received", due to its gated community concept."
In typical Malaysian fashion, the houses are so close together you can shake hands with the neighbours from the window. I can't understand how people wish to live in luxury houses that are so close to each other.
5 Feb 2008 -
Sept 2008 -
Feb 2010 -
© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission
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