MBSA reiterates public hearing is an invitation-only event
The Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) reiterated that the public hearing yesterday, where the contentious plan to convert the Shah Alam Community Forest into commercial development and a cemetery was discussed, was an invitation-only event.
It said this after coming under fire for barring journalists from covering the event...
The Shah Alam Municipal Council (MBSA) reiterated that the public hearing yesterday, where the contentious plan to convert the Shah Alam Community Forest into commercial development and a cemetery was discussed, was an invitation-only event.
It said this after coming under fire for barring journalists from covering the event.
“The session was based on invitations to stakeholders, individuals and agencies, including NGOs that have submitted official objections and feedback to development plans under the MBSA Local Draft Plan 2035 within the stipulated period under Section 13(1) and (3) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.
“The sessions were also conducted in accordance with tight standard operating procedures that take into account the size of the hall, which ensured physical distancing and limited the number of individuals allowed into the hall,” the council said in a statement last night.
It did not explain why, when local residents attempted to assist the media by proposing they enter the session as “representatives” for those who were not present, MBSA officers allowed it on the condition that the session was not reported.
MBSA officers also told journalists to surrender their recording devices.
Under the proposed plan, MBSA intends to build a road through the 400-acre forest and turn a portion of it into a cemetery.
However, the Shah Alam Community Forest Society questioned whether the forest had been gazetted in accordance with procedure, including the requirement to hold public consultations on the matter.
It contended that the forest remains a part of the Bukit Cherakah Forest Reserve.
At the public hearing where objections to the draft town plan were heard, media personnel were not allowed to enter the venue or report on the session.
Selangor executive councillor (in charge of the Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development Committee) Ng Sze Han told Malaysiakini that the event is a ‘closed door’ affair. He is believed to be chairing the session.
Media watchdogs Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) had slammed MBSA for barring media coverage, saying that the reasons cited by MBSA were unacceptable.
“Preventing the media from reporting is tantamount to the council not being transparent in the disclosure of information that is of a matter of public interest,” the CIJ said.
The MBSA said it has received 2,935 objections regarding the MBSA Draft Local Plan 2035, of which 2,035 had been officially accepted.
“Conclusions and feedback received from the (public hearing) sessions will be tabled to the state government through the Selangor Planning Committee meeting before the draft is finalised,” it said.
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