Destruction opposite my condo 2

This article is from The Star and relates to the development opposite my condo in KL.

STAR Metro

Monday June 3, 2013

Residents object to construction of centre at green lung

By VIJENTHI NAIR
vijenthi@thestar.com.my

Concerned: Gardner showing the destruction of a green lung as a result of land clearing works for the proposed project.
 

RESIDENTS of Le Chateau 1 and 2 condominiums in Kuala Lumpur, who are against a project to build a six-storey HIV rehabilitation centre in their neighbourhood, held protests near the construction site recently.

Le Chateau 2 joint management body treasurer Richard Gardner said they were not consulted or given any notice regarding the project called Ilaj Home and were concerned about their safety as well as environmental damage.

“We were only aware of the development when the hoarding was put up on April 28 and the project signboard erected the next day.

“Although we support the Government’s initiative in taking care of the people’s welfare, we are worried about the impact of such a development on residents here.

“We are also concerned about the environmental damage it may cause since it is a landslide-prone area. The access road into the area is narrow and in the event of a landslide, the debris will come pouring down and block the road,” he said.

A resident, Mohala Santharamohana, said the site was not suitable for any development.

“During a thunderstorm recently, as a result of land clearing works that involved the felling of trees, strong winds caused several old trees to uproot, blocking the only access road to the condominiums and SJK(C) Kuen Cheng 2.

“The rainwater running off the project site was also tea-coloured due to siltation,” she said.

Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) vice-president Henry Goh said MNS was concerned over the clearing of land nationwide.

“We are not against development but an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be conducted for every project. This will ensure that safety measures are taken into consideration and will help mitigate any harm to the environment and residents after the building is constructed.

“Green lungs are scarce in major cities in Malaysia and efforts must be made to conserve them,” he said.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib said the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), which is the landowner, had obtained the development order to build Ilaj Home on Feb 28.

“However, land clearing work started before DBKL even gave the nod and we issued a stop-work order pending some safety measures to be taken by the developer.

“The Public Works Department (JKR) has also agreed to, among other things, install silt traps, upgrade the drainage system and stabilise the slope to ensure the safety of residents and to assure them that the project is safe,” he said during an event at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Kuala Lumpur recently.
Ahmad Phesal also said DBKL would monitor the project.

Destruction opposite my condo 1

The main reason I chose to live in my condo in KL is because it is so quiet and green. It is surrounded by the huge Chinese cemetery on 3 sides and woods on the 4th side. It is a beautiful location. The January 2010 Google Earth view -

The woods opposite that I see from my lounge and bedroom give such a nice view.

There are lots of birds as well as small mammals such as squirrels and shrews. At night the air is filled with the sounds of frogs and insects.

The woods extend up to Taman Desa

According to the signs they are 'owned' by an Islamic group [Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim)] -

When I was in London in April 2013 I received a series of emails from the residents of the condo, concerned about the construction of an Islamic 6 storey HIV rehabilitation centre. Apparently the news had come out of the blue, no one knew anything about it. A blue fence was suddenly put up, then a notice appeared. Usually in Malaysia a blue fence means "we don't want you to see what's going on behind"!!!

I came back to KL towards the end of June and was shocked at what I saw.

A huge horseshoe shaped area had been cleared. There was a pond at the bottom. The clearance went right up the hill slope. In the past there have been a few landslides, such as this one in June 2012 -

It is so sad to see this devastation. If the building goes ahead, 6 storey, it will mean an increase in noise and light pollution. There will be increased traffic on the small road.

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According to this report, dated Nov 2012, the home will open in 2014 and house more than 100 residents. These people, who have HIV and Aids will be treated in accordance with Islamic approach  which focuses on Ruhiyah therapy. The Ilaj home is run by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim). The report says "The therapy tends to strengthen the identity of the patient work through the verses of the Quran as well as integration treatment of physical, spiritual and emotional.
"What differentiates center 'Ilaj Home' with central treatment of HIV / Aids and others is that we try to treat patients based on the method and approach to Islam."
The original source of the above report.

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In Aug 2011 a sign appeared up the road opposite Phase 1 with a notice about a proposed 3 storey home for old people. Then the sign disappeared.