Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) mayor Alinah Ahmad has been reminded that the city councillors have the right to propose changes to the local plans.

Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua described as shocking her refusal to abide by the city council’s decision to repeal the amendments to the Petaling Jaya Local Plan 1 and 2 (RTPJ).

“I am taken aback by her recalcitrant retort to the decision of the Petaling Jaya full board meeting which voted overwhelmingly to revoke the draft Petaling Jaya local plan ,” he said in a statement today.

Alinah yesterday said that the city councillors could revoke a local plan but had no power to revoke a draft proposal.

“To revoke the process will unlawfully and intentionally obstruct the process of decision-making by the state,” she said yesterday.

However, Pua said the mayor’s argument is "laughable" as the city council was the originating body to propose any changes to the local plan for approval by the state government.

“Hence if the councillors have no powers to amend their own draft, other than the state government itself, who else would have such powers?” Pua queried.

Mayor operating solo?

He, however, admitted that the controversy was "not a new one" as Alinah had, over the past few months, persisted to act independently.

This is despite numerous attempts by the city councillors to seek a delay or amendment to the draft plan, he said.

The DAP parliamentarian argued that the councillors wanted the draft local plan reviewed as the amendments were "controversial" in that it may permanently damage the city’s sustainability.

These amendments include increasing the plot ratio of certain zones from four to six before any transport impact assessment is conducted, as well as the complete removal of guidelines for development and building plans.

“These are valid and serious reasons for the draft plan to be reviewed.  

“Hence it boggles the mind why the mayor is so adamant about pushing through the hastily amended local plan despite the obvious concerns,” said Pua.

He said the mayor deserved to explain to residents why she is trying to steamroll the plan through.

"Is there a reason why the plan must be immediately amended to allow developers to benefit from higher densities without strict guidelines in place?

"Only the mayor herself can explain her position to city's ratepayers," he said.

Pua added that Alinah's stand of taking her insistence up with the menteri besar was however positive.

 

"We are confident that as a menteri besar who stands with the rakyat, (Azmin Ali, above ) will make the right decision to protect the interests of the people."