Nik Nazmi vows more community involvement on Kg Bohol issue

Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said more community engagement is needed over the proposed de-gazetting of land in Kampung Bohol for a housing project.

After recent protests by residents of the Kuala Lumpur township, the minister acknowledged the lack of engagement in the past but that efforts to involve locals were increasing.

“Communication with communities is vital. More needs to be done to engage them,” he was quoted as saying on a podcast by the New Straits Times.

“Engagement is increasing but has been insufficient. I meet frequently with NGOs, though discussions get heated.”

Given the government’s history of de-gazetting public lands, Nik Nazmi said he understood the reservations of residents.

“We must listen and address their concerns, as communities have long felt brushed aside. When they raised alarms before, it turned out to be true,” he said.

He also recognised concerns over flood retention ponds being sold for development, fueling public distrust.

While praising Kampung Bohol residents for speaking up, Nik Nazmi cautioned against “Not in my backyard” (Nimyby-ism) behaviour.

“They (residents) are right to be watchful, but some vital national interest projects must proceed despite local opposition,” he was quoted as saying.

He cited how upgrading power grids was essential to accommodate the increasing use of renewable energy, although there have been health misconceptions about living near power lines.

“While some oppose such projects using environmental arguments, we must consider the overall sustainability gains,” he said.

Pond to undergo upgrading works

Previously, Malaysiakini reported that an officer from the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PTGWP) said the flood retention pond in Kampung Bohol would not be converted into a housing area.

PTGWP’s land registration deputy director Mohd Firdaus Ibaruslan stated that contrary to media reports and some residents’ beliefs, the pond is being upgraded to increase its capacity.

The current 150,000m³ capacity, equivalent to 60 Olympic-sized pools, will be boosted over 7 times to 1.13 million m³ or 452 Olympic pools.

This is expected to reduce flood occurrences in the area from once annually to just once every 100 years, with the potential for further upgrades to make it a 1-in-200-year event.

Firdaus told the media that the area will also serve as a recreational location for nearby residents.

Previously, the pond’s surroundings experienced major flooding incidents in July 2020, March and May 2022, and December 2023.

So in essence, the project involves upgrading and expanding the existing retention pond’s capacity rather than converting it into a housing development, contrary to what was reported earlier.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa also pledged to meet the residents of Kampung Bohol in the coming week.

Wrong to sell recreational area for development - Kg Bohol group

Kg Bohol pond being upgraded, not converted to housing

Residents protest development at Kg Bohol flood retention pond area