Teresa urges govt to halt high-density developments in KL

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has urged the government to suspend the approval for high-density development projects in Kuala Lumpur following recent instances of flooding and landslides in the city.

In a statement, Kok said this should especially apply to low-lying areas and settlements in water catchment areas.

“Yesterday (Thursday), heavy rain caused flash floods in Segambut, Kampung Baru, Seri Semarak, Taman Bunga Raya, and the open parking lot near the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre.

“In addition, successive heavy rains also resulted in landslides on Jalan Genting Kelang until 52 residents were ordered to leave the area involved,” the DAP lawmaker said last night.

She said the frequent downpours indicate climate change and that the drainage system in Kuala Lumpur is unable to accommodate rapid high-density development currently.

“If the Kuala Lumpur City Hall continues to approve high-density development projects without enlarging drainage and deepening rivers in Kuala Lumpur, then we will see flash floods occur more often in the future.

“Therefore, I would like to ask the government to review the housing development project that uses 4.4 acres of land in KTB Kg Bohol and surrounding land and also a high-density development project in Taman Desa by Mah Sing Group on a site close to KTB Taman Desa that receives water channelled from Kuala Lumpur through the Smart Tunnel,” said Kok.

She further called for a review of the high-density Madani housing development policy in Kuala Lumpur, which she said damages the ecological balance and affects traffic flow in the city.

In addition, she said, the government should also intensify efforts to clean tunnels, enlarge ditches and deepen rivers, especially in areas that are often flooded.

“I call on the new mayor, Maimumah Mohd Sharif, who once held the position of executive director of UN Habitat, to promote the green city concept in Kuala Lumpur and add more recreational parks and green landscapes to increase the soil’s ability to absorb water and reduce the risk of landslides.

“I hope this new mayor will also try to make Kuala Lumpur a city that implements sustainable development.”

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