‘Don’t take up any more retention pond land’
THE proposed housing project near the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond (KTB) in Kuala Lumpur must not consume any of the pond reserve land, says an MP.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said Plot 5, one of the six plots proposed for development, involved a portion of the stormwater management pond.

“Plot 5 in the site map by Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office (PTGWP) shows that 1.78ha land is on the gazetted pond.

“I have asked for this plot not to be handed over for development, as it will reduce the pond’s capacity.

Dr Zaliha (second from left) flanked by Kok (left) and Tan during a site visit to the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond in Kuala Lumpur.

“The pond itself has little expansion area as it will be surrounded by the other housing projects,” she said during a site visit with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa to the pond site.

Kok said there was a limit to deepening the pond to increase its capacity.

“Deepening it can also affect the structure of buildings around the pond.

“The other plots are along Kesas (Shah Alam Expressway), which means the highway cannot be expanded should it become necessary, because the right of way (ROW) land has been taken up,” she highlighted.

Kok voiced her disappointment over not being consulted about the project, as she is the MP for the area concerned.

Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha gave assurance that Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) would be carried out before development is approved near the retention pond.

She said the developer was required to provide detailed development plans to the authorities.

“We will take into account everything including the capacity of the land, and the traffic, social and environmental impact assessments studies.

“We have given a condition that the development of the KTB must be carried out first before any development plan is presented,” she added.

StarMetro report on April 29.

Also present during the visit was Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai and representatives from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), PTGWP and the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID).

StarMetro had previously reported that a developer had been awarded a tender project to upgrade the Bohol flood retention pond.

The developer also received approval to develop the area adjacent to the land reserved for the retention pond.

Dr Zaliha said the upgrading of the pond was a priority to prevent flooding.

“The Kampung Bohol pond is suitable for flood retention and is needed as the area is flood-prone.

“The proper size, inlet and outlet will be evaluated so that the pond can hold sufficient water to fit development needs.

“The housing development has also been factored into the suitability of the site,” she said, adding that five tenders were received for the project.

A hearing at PTGWP premises on Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin on the proposed revocation of the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond’s public-use status took place yesterday.

Despite a previous commitment to scrap the land deal last year following opposition from residents, stakeholders and lawmakers, the government is now pushing ahead with plans to revoke the land’s public-use status.

The Attorney General’s Chambers published a notice in the Federal Government Gazette on May 8 announcing the proposed revocation of the land reservation for public purposes under Section 64(2) of the National Land Code (Act 828) for Lot 35309, measuring 24.79ha.

It was signed by the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

The land designated for flood mitigation, was gazetted on Nov 4, 2010.

Once the public-use status has been revoked, the surrounding area is to be developed for residential purposes.
Metro Central,Kuala Lumpur
THE proposed housing project near the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond (KTB) in Kuala Lumpur must not consume any of the pond reserve land, says an MP.