COMMENT The state of Perak is undergoing rapid development with at least 22 condominium projects being approved, but in some places the development is worrying to both residents and other property owners.

Letters written to the Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBInc) office by concerned residents do not always get a response.

In one particular case involving residents of Permai Lakeview apartments in Tambun, Ipoh, the residents had to apply for a judicial review this year to put a stop to the work that had already begun.

Kent Foo ( photo ), a property agent, who is a committee member of Permai Lakeview Residences, said that billboards had already been put up at the site. He noted that advertisements in the newspapers did not carry any permit numbers.

On investigation, Foo said that residents discovered that the joint-venture project between MBInc and a local developer allegedly did not have a proper building plan, but work had already started.

Copies of the advertisements sighted by Malaysiakini did not carry the project approval code.

In the midst of pursuing their case, the residents also commissioned a geological study, which showed that the site, a 1.9 acre land, adjacent to their apartments is, in fact, not suitable for any high-rise buildings.

On the Ipoh 2020 masterplan, the land is designated for infrastructure and utilities.

Project may affect soil stability

Foo said that geological studies undertaken by local experts showed that the land was not suitable for any high-rise buildings.

“It could affect the soil stability in the area,” he said. “This raises concerns because of frequent flooding. Based on the study, the worse case scenario is another incident similar to the Highland Towers in 1993.”

For this reason, the joint management committee took a very serious view about any new development in the area. What makes them anxious now is that more land clearing is being carried out by certain parties, and encroaching more into the area which is supposedly gazetted as Ipoh’s green belt.

Malaysiakini has written to MBInc to enquire about the development of the utilities and infrastructure land, and is awaiting a reply.

But what concerns the residents is that excessive development to the area will simply destroy the ecological balance of the area.

Next: Land clearing appears to be encroaching into forest land

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.