The controversial Petaling Jaya 1 local plan draft, upon closer scrutiny, seems to have a hidden agenda with long-term political implications outsiders.
The areas earmarked for an increase in density, Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 17 and SS9A, will see the development of three and five-storey apartments, increased commercial activities, conversion of land use and widening of roads balanced racial composition in PJ by increasing the density in predominantly non-Malay areas with plans to build medium-cost apartments.
One clear proposal which seems to support the idea of social re-engineering is the number of places of worship which have been proposed as compared with existing ones.
In six of the seven zones, 12 new mosques have been proposed, along with 12 Buddhist temples and three Hindu temples.
Presently, there are five mosques, 10 suraus (also to be upgraded/repaired), four Buddhist temples and three Hindu temples. No additions to the existing nine churches in the designated areas are planned.
Another indicator of a possible social re-engineering plan being in the works, is the proposal for an active bumiputra participation in various aspects.
Incentives, including allocation of space in government and private business premises, will also be given to encourage bumiputra landowners to develop their land for commercial use through partnerships or joint ventures.
Not far-fetched
When asked to comment, Section 5 Residents Association pro-tem president Edward Lee agreed that the idea of social re-engineering was not too far-fetched.
It sounds preposterous but there are enough reasons to believe that it is possible in this draft plan.
Many people may not realise this but those with sufficient knowledge of the draft plan are able to see the bigger picture.
He said residents object to some parts of the draft plan for fear of losing their property and land.
They are fearful of how to defend their property against compulsory acquisition. Although Section 5 sees minimal development, the redevelopment of Section 1 is worrying because the fallout will affect us here.
All we want the MPPJ to do is enhance existing facilities and improve the utilities in PJ, he told malaysiakini .
Lee also felt that the MPPJ has no good reasons for developing and redeveloping PJ.
They have no justification and the legal basis of the draft plan itself is currently suspect, he said, referring to the residents objection in the associations pink form that the draft plan is inconsistent with the structure plan gazetted in 1996. (Read Plan to redevelop PJ may be illegal )
Politically dangerous
Meanwhile, DAP national publicity chief Ronnie Liu agreed with the possibility that social or ethnic-based re-engineering may be at the back of the entire redevelopment plans for certain areas.
He expressed deep concern over the political implications of such a move, especially in densely-populated areas.
It is politically-dangerous to bring in thousands of outsiders as this will definitely change the voting pattern in the PJ constituencies.
Lius concerns are legitimate, especially in light of the Election Commissions (EC) plan to begin the redelineation exercise in Johor, Penang and Selangor, especially the major townships. The exercise was scheduled for this year.
Based on the guidelines used by the EC, areas with a population of about 65,000 will be turned into a parliamentary constituency while those with about 35,000 will be the state seat.
Out of the 34 parliamentary constituencies earmarked throughout the country, 11 are in Selangor.
Old communities
On the total redevelopment of the PJ side of Old Klang Road covering Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, Liu said the area has been occupied by predominantly lower-income Chinese or Indian communities for generations.
These are new villages with lower-end housing. Based on the MPPJs explanation during a public briefing in Kampung Seri Setia, the draft plan provides for land acquisition to build five-storey buildings and apartments.