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