BY THE GREEN DUDE

Nonetheless , this has also attracted developers who choose these areas due to the increasing lifestyle of the community who want to live in areas on hill slopes and highlands .

Unfortunately , these development projects tend not to take into account best practice planning and implementation such as studies on its suitability with regards to the topography of the area followed by proper management of the environment during construction and more importantly , proper maintenance after it has been occupied .

Developers usually will promote their projects as being eco-friendly , which will pressure MPAJ to make reasonable decisions in accordance with the law .

A case in point is the Highland Towers tragedy . Geologists have pointed out some basic facts about its causes . The main thing is that the topography of hilly areas , geological conditions and unstable soil types are susceptible to landslides .

Adding to that is the soil composition , which is not of sturdy rock types but of soil mixed with sand . According to the Planning Block ( BP ) MPAJ RT2020 , the areas zoned for land use for housing and vacant land mostly have been categorised with slopes of Class 3 and 4 steepness .

Alarming incident

The flowing rivers under the purview of the Selangor Water Management Authority ( LUAS ) and the Selangor Department of Irrigation ( JPS ) have been affected due to the failure to maintain slope areas and floods and sinkholes .

As a case in point , several months ago , a sinkhole appeared right in the middle of the MRR2 highway directly opposite the proposed development of a controversial condominium project which has been opposed by the communities of Bukit Antarabangsa , Ukay Perdana , Ampang and Ulu Kelang .

This alarming incident resulted in the closure of the middle lane of the MRR2 and motorists had to endure months of traffic jams during rush hour while repair works were being carried out .

Within the last 12 months or so , the prolonged unprecedented heavier than usual rainfalls have caused a number of landslips around the Bukit Antarabangsa and Hulu Kelang residential areas ,

which resulted in residents being evacuated while remedial works were being carried out .

A massive development project was also proposed by a developer at the Riverdale Park Condominium , but the MPAJ cancelled it after protests from the resident ’ s associations . By right , MPAJ should have rejected the Kebenaran Merancang ( KM ) or Permission to Plan by the developer instead of asking the residents to register their protest . That notice incidentally was put up on an obscure notice board at the location barely two weeks before its expiry .

Hazard risks

A Hazard Risk Assessment study was conducted for the Bukit Antarabangsa area , which proved that the area is an Environmentally Sensitive Area ( ESA ) and will suffer damage from development activities that do not comply with the necessary rules and guidelines .

AJ Rimba Collective ( AJRC ) a collection of residents of Ampang Jaya has put up a request for the MPAJ to make the neighbourhoods be included in the Rancangan Kawasan Khas ( RKK ) or Special Area Plan for the upcoming Draft Local Plan ( Draf MPAJ RT2035 ). This RKK aims to better protect environmentally sensitive areas with slopes in Classes 3 and 4 .

According to the group in their letter to the President of MPAJ , the suggestions outlined in their letter needs to be included in the RKK and for the public to have access to the draft report when it is completed so that they can provide their comments . According to the AJRC , the proposed RKK should be guided by components , namely Environmentally Sensitive Areas , Geology , Heritage – Biodiversity , Water Catchment Areas , Green and Destination .

They also noted that the Malaysian Government has also accepted the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) or Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development ( Agenda 2030 ) which covers five dimensions namely , Community Development , Care of The Earth , Prosperity , Security and Cooperation . The SDGs have 17 goals , 169 targets and 232 indicators for adoption by the 193 UN member countries , including Malaysia .

Geopark plans

Meanwhile , in October last year , the Selangor Government announced the Gombak Hulu Langat Geopark plans and will be launching it soon . The plan outlined a suitable site boundary containing several known geological heritage sites of national , regional , and international interest that is sustainably developed to improve the appreciation , economic level , and cultural values of its inhabitants towards such geological heritage . This is primarily through community involvement in tourismbased activities .

The Geopark boundaries cover

Proper management during clearing is critical .

many of the geohazard risk and environmentally sensitive areas which stakeholders in Ampang Jaya had proposed to be included in the RKK for the Draft RT MPAJ 2035 . However , the Draft had proposed an increase in the density and development on the so-called “ Conservation Areas ” in the current RT 2020 . And this does not make sense .

The AJRC has called for the stakeholders and the community of Ampang Jaya to register their comments and objections by June 29 , 2022 towards the Draft , which is now in its final stage , for them to be included in the final Draft RT2035 by the State Planning Committee .

While the Federal Government is committed to achieving these goals , which has also been absorbed into every aspect of the 11th Malaysia Plan and plans after that , local councils such as MPAJ are expected to embrace these goals into their local plans to ensure sustainability of life which should not be measured by wealth or money only but a perfect life and happiness .

The GREEN DUDE feels that as a resident of a community in an environmentally sensitive area ( ESA ), he has an important role in preserving the development in the area for sustainability and the benefit of future generations . Thus , everyone should not simply leave the task to the local councils , who may unwittingly work in the interest of irresponsible developers .