BY THE GREEN DUDE

They continue to question the need for this and the absence of details in the master plans prepared by the various local councils and Kuala Lumpur City Hall ( DBKL ).

In the latest episode , DBKL reminded developers of an apartment complex in Bukit Dinding in the Wangsa Maju not to start work until discussions with the residents are held . There is also a popular hiking trail there .

The DBKL statement reminded the developers to have a full dialogue with the residents of Setiawangsa and Wangsa Maju , who are opposed to the development due to safety reasons . They are concerned that the hill ’ s steepness will cause further landslide problems .

Although the development plan was approved in 2004 , a revised plan for residential development and a clubhouse was okayed in 2018 after it was endorsed by independent consultants hired to assess the stability of the slopes .

Bukit Dinding has a tar and cement road trail that surprisingly leads to the peak . There are also non-tar and even broader mountain biking trails suitable for hoverboarding and hill running . For enthusiasts , this is undoubtedly a great place . But sadly , more and more such tracks are disappearing and being replaced by the development of concrete jungles .

Local authorities seem nonchalant about disasters

Over a recent weekend , a group of residents staged a “ Save Bukit Dinding ” demonstration at the foot of the hill . The MP supported them for Setiawangsa Nik Nazmi , who at a Press conference highlighted the following issues :

• Slope stability . Several incidences in 2011 during heavy rains , which are common these days , pinpointed the landslide that occurred on Bukit Setiawangsa nearby .

• The EIA approval was five years ago . Hence everything should no longer be relevant today as the weather , rainfall patterns , soil conditions etc ., have changed .

• Although Project Parcel 2 was supposed to have been approved last March , the technical documents are still unavailable .

• Bukit Dinding had been gazetted in KLCP2020 and KLCP2040 . However , the builders used Rule 5 , which allows no specific discussions with residents , which is definitely unfair to the community .

• It was also noted that other developments nearby , such as Kaleidoscope , went ahead despite

Aerial view of Bukit Antarabangsa .

The DBKL statement reminded the developers to have a full dialogue with the residents of Setiawangsa and Wangsa Maju , who are opposed to the development due to safety reasons . They are concerned that the hill ’ s steepness will cause further landslide problems .”

protests from residents .

• The biggest concern is the impact on the residential areas around the foot of the hill where flash floods may occur .

• Bukit Dinding is also a historical site and should be preserved . It was the site of the Battle of Bukit Dinding during the Selangor civil war between 1867 and 1874 and should be preserved . ( Refer to Google on Sejarah Wangsa Maju -The Forgotten War of Perang Kelang ). While the authorities tend to forget the various landslides and mishaps in the Klang Valley and elsewhere over the years , the people do not forget . After all , they are the ones who ultimately bear the brunt of any disaster .

Proper procedures must be followed

To recap , landslides in Bukit Antarabangsa and other areas were caused by incompetent local authorities and a failure to follow laws . This was proven in the Bukit Antarabangsa Landslide Report , which was concluded in 2011 .

According to Slope Watch , a few factors that contributed to the landslide in 2008 at the Bukit Mewah site were :

• Live water pipes that were never decommissioned .

• A big hole in the sump at the top of the slope ( allowing water to flow directly into the soil ).

• Loose soil that was never compacted during earthworks . So , when trees grow on the site after it was abandoned , nobody knows that it is loose . When disturbed slopes are left , their stability is quite tricky . It is also about density and guidelines to ensure proper procedures are adhered to before development occurs . For that , the draft local plan must also consider the social impact on the community , traffic , and environmental impact . Some things are logical , as any increase in density will reduce the community ’ s quality of life .

The engagement of the local communities is now a standard operating procedure for representatives of the local councils , the resident ’ s associations and the political representatives . They cannot be mutually exclusive , although the Ahli Majlis are in a situation where they wear three hats – representing the local council , the political party which nominates them and the community .