'Unnatural' disasters from 'callous' development
Hazlan ZakariaPublished: Feb 20, 2011 5:52 PM | Updated: Feb 20, 2011 6:08 PM
Despite the hype about the brand new integrated transport terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, its presence seems more a curse than boon for residents in nearby Kampung Malaysia Tambahan.
Despite the hype about the brand new integrated transport terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, its presence seems more a curse than boon for residents in nearby Kampung Malaysia Tambahan.
"We are the victims of constant flash floods... Roughly 25 times since 2006. The worst being the water level reaching one foot deep inside our houses.
"This is not a natural disaster. But it results from callous actions of the developer," said resident representative Ahmed Fauzi, at a press conference in Bandar Tasik Selatan Kuala Lumpur today.
Residents claimed, the flooding which started after the project began in 2005, was a direct result of the activities of terminal developers, Maju Holdings Berhad and associated companies.
They claimed their woes stemmed from one Mahajaya Group Sdn Bhd, the firm tasked with filling-up a nearby flood retention pond that once served to alleviate flooding in the village.
The company they said, is affiliated with Maju Holdings, which built and currently operates the RM570 million integrated terminal project.
Ahmed and fellow residents further alleged that insufficient drainage was planned and constructed to help control flooding, let alone compensate, for the loss of the retention pond.
Both factors, contributing heavily to the worsening of flooding, in the immediate area.
No approval for pond fill-up
Bandar Tun Razak parliamentarian Khalid Ibrahim who was also present, pointed out that Maju Holdings and Mahajaya Group's filling up of the retention pond is without official sanction.
"They did not get the necessary approvals from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage nor the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
"I urge authorities, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the relevant departments and ministries to take urgent action against the developer who is seen as exempt from enforcement and regulations," said Khalid who is also Selangor Menteri Besar.
In a related matter, Khalid also pointed to another indiscretion of the terminal developer.
He said that Maju Holdings is also guilty of appropriating land gazetted in the Greater KL Master-Plan as open spaces for public recreational use.
"They are using the land to build a housing area. But City Hall never gave its permission to convert the land for housing use nor was approval given for the company to take what is clearly public recreational land," said the MB.
Several bungalows and supporting buildings is said to have been constructed on the land as the personal residence of a very senior Maju Holding official and his family members.
Khalid sniped that such things as the illegal occupation and development of public land does not occur under his rule, suggesting that perhaps City Hall should emulate him.
The much praised integrated transport terminal started operations on Jan 1, but has yet to live up to expectations of improving public transport and easing traffic congestion in the city.
Equipped with expensive facilities like 24-hour CCTV-surveillance, 200 auxiliary police, e-ticketing, dedicated arrivals, departures and executive areas, the terminal has yet to see peak use as bus companies shy from moving their operations from the temporary terminal in Bukit Jalil.
"We are the victims of constant flash floods... Roughly 25 times since 2006. The worst being the water level reaching one foot deep inside our houses."This is not a natural disaster. But it results from callous actions of the developer," said resident representative Ahmed Fauzi, at a press conference in Bandar Tasik Selatan Kuala Lumpur today.
Residents claimed, the flooding which started after the project began in 2005, was a direct result of the activities of terminal developers, Maju Holdings Berhad and associated companies.
They claimed their woes stemmed from one Mahajaya Group Sdn Bhd, the firm tasked with filling-up a nearby flood retention pond that once served to alleviate flooding in the village.
The company they said, is affiliated with Maju Holdings, which built and currently operates the RM570 million integrated terminal project.
Ahmed and fellow residents further alleged that insufficient drainage was planned and constructed to help control flooding, let alone compensate, for the loss of the retention pond.
Both factors, contributing heavily to the worsening of flooding, in the immediate area.
No approval for pond fill-up
Bandar Tun Razak parliamentarian Khalid Ibrahim who was also present, pointed out that Maju Holdings and Mahajaya Group's filling up of the retention pond is without official sanction.
"They did not get the necessary approvals from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage nor the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
"I urge authorities, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the relevant departments and ministries to take urgent action against the developer who is seen as exempt from enforcement and regulations," said Khalid who is also Selangor Menteri Besar.In a related matter, Khalid also pointed to another indiscretion of the terminal developer.
He said that Maju Holdings is also guilty of appropriating land gazetted in the Greater KL Master-Plan as open spaces for public recreational use.
"They are using the land to build a housing area. But City Hall never gave its permission to convert the land for housing use nor was approval given for the company to take what is clearly public recreational land," said the MB.
Several bungalows and supporting buildings is said to have been constructed on the land as the personal residence of a very senior Maju Holding official and his family members.
Khalid sniped that such things as the illegal occupation and development of public land does not occur under his rule, suggesting that perhaps City Hall should emulate him.
The much praised integrated transport terminal started operations on Jan 1, but has yet to live up to expectations of improving public transport and easing traffic congestion in the city.
Equipped with expensive facilities like 24-hour CCTV-surveillance, 200 auxiliary police, e-ticketing, dedicated arrivals, departures and executive areas, the terminal has yet to see peak use as bus companies shy from moving their operations from the temporary terminal in Bukit Jalil.
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