Bukit Kiara: “Developer To Get Approval First”… They Say!

By Noel Achariam | streets@nstp.com.my

“With permission: Any proposed development next to the Bukit Kiara park will be done with the consent of its stakeholders”

Berjaya Corporation Bhd’s (BCB) proposed Eco Village development next to the Bukit Kiara park, will still need  stakeholders’ approval before any work commences.

Mayor Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said this in a meeting with Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Bukit Damansara residents’ associations on Wednesday.   

He added that City Hall would inform the stakeholders and engage with them of any proposed development plans put forward by BCB.

Phesal also said that it is crucial that a development plan is agreed upon by all parties, so that City Hall can proceed with the gazettement of the KL Draft City Plan 2020.

Currently, the Bukit Kiara park is not gazetted as a green lung. We hope to reach a decision soon on what development is to take place in the area, so that we will be able to gazette the draft plan next year,” he said.

As for leasing  out the land to BCB, Phesal said nothing could be done now because the court had given a judgment in BCB’s favour.

“In 1994, an agreement was reached between City Hall and BCB to lease out 25ha of land around the park. They have been paying the premium and land tax since.

“We took the matter to court to cancel the agreement, but we had lost the case. Now, we have no choice but to sign the 70-year lease,” he said.

Phesal said City Hall had managed to get BCB to give back 4.8ha of land, which will be included as part of the Bukit Kiara park.

“I was supposed to sign the lease a month ago, but had delayed the process to discuss for more open space. BCB will be developing  6ha as landscape and the remaining 5.6ha will be the built-up area” he said.

Phesal also suggested that BCB include more green development as part of its project.

BCB executive director Zurainah Musa who was present at the meeting said the proposed development will not  encroach on the Bukit Kiara park.

She said BCB had proposed to build an eco hospital with 150 beds, 162 units of serviced residences  and a  multipurpose hall with 400 parking bays and an international school.

“The mayor had suggested that we go for more green development. All the development we proposed will not be more than four storeys high. As a responsible developer, we aim to keep the area green,” she said.

 Zurainah also said that BCB will work together with all stakeholders to reach an amicable decision on the development plans.

“We are also looking at more green development, that is why we have taken the mayor’s suggestions to have a low density project in the area,” she said.

TTDI Residents’ Association chairman Mohd Hatim Abdullah said they had agreed for City Hall to sign the lease.

“We understand that City Hall has no choice but to sign the lease as ruled by the court. We have also accepted the fact that BCB needs to develop the area as they have been paying the premium and land tax.

“We hope that City Hall will engage with us on any changes to the development plans by BCB,” he said.

 Bukit Damansara Residents’ Association deputy chairman Datuk Pang Leong Hoon said  they want the area to remain green.

“We also agree with the signing of the lease but by calling it Eco Village doesn’t mean it is a green development” he said.

  Earlier this year fencing, believed to be put up by National Landscape Department, in the Bukit Kiara area was done to demarcate the private from the public land.

(via traks-malaysia)