Residents living adjacent to Bukit Gasing in Petaling Jaya want closure to the issue of a proposed high-end development plan that has haunted them for the past 20 years.

The spectre of hillside development occurring 100 to 140 meters above their heads - on a steep hill whose gradient, in some places, measure 70 degrees - has served as the stuff of nightmares for many of the 5,000 residents living at the foot of Bukit Gasing.

“We want some kind of closure to this issue. What is going on? Why are we still faced with this uncertainty of whether, and what kind of, development, will or will not occur on Bukit Gasing,” said Joint Action Committee (JAC) for Bukit Gasing member Gary Yeoh.

He was speaking at a press conference held by JAC - which represents residents from Taman Petaling, Gasing Indah and Gasing Heights Condominiums - in Petaling Jaya.

Plans have somewhat whittled down in size since 1995 when developer Gasing Heights Sdn Bhd proposed to construct 653 condo units, 95 township units and 68 bungalows on Bukit Gasing. In 1986, an even larger-scale development project had been submitted to DBKL.

Both these applications were rejected by DBKL either on grounds of safety or concerns over the destruction of Bukit Gasing’s ecology and environment. Since November last year, DBKL has yet to decide on the proposal submitted by Gasing Meridian Sdn Bhd.

Gasing Meridian is said to have scaled down its earlier plan to develop 142 bungalow units on Bukit Gasing by proposing the construction of only 71 bungalows.

DBKL lauded

JAC member Edward Lee said the committee commends DBKL for not having bowed to pressure from the developer and holding off on issuing a Development Order (DO) for the project.

He also lauded DBKL officials for having been receptive of the residents and their concerns expressed during a Nov 14 meeting with JAC representatives.

“They told us we will also be taken into consideration when they receive an application for a DO,” said Low. He said further that DBKL promised the residents it will not allow any works on Bukit Gasing until a decision is made.

“We are holding them to their word and expect to hear from them when an application for a DO is made,” Low added.

Another JAC member, Victor Oorjitham, said the high gradient of many areas on Bukit Gasing - especially the 15 hectare site of the proposed project - should rule out any development.

This is in addition to the “Kenny Hill formation” type of soil structure that renders Bukit Gasing susceptible to landslides and soil erosion, which “increases the possibility of a landslide occurring,” said Oorjitham.

Highland Towers

Oorjitham also pointed out that stop-work orders were issued on renovation works at Sri Sivan Temple on Bukit Gasing, nearby Gasing Meridian’s proposed development site, because of the soil erosion caused by the construction of additional structures to the temple.

“This is only (the construction of) one building that caused the soil erosion and was ordered stopped. What’s going to happen when they build 71 bungalows?” said Oorjitham. He also noted that works on three bungalows on the same hill had stopped for the same reasons.

Oorjitham said while there were no fatalities in the landslide that occurred in Precinct 9 in Putrajaya in March, 20 people died when the Highland Towers in Hulu Klang collapsed on Dec 11, 1993.

“You can understand why the people, the residents, are worried,” said Oorjitham.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia geology expert Prof Dr Ibrahim Komoo has been widely reported to have expressed his view that the targeted area was unsuited for development.

A 1994 study by Universiti Malaya’s Institute of Geology, meanwhile, found Bukit Gasing to be comprised of sandstone and shale, which he said also rendered it unsuitable for development.