MP urges S'gor to disclose timeline, transactions of Ayer Hitam 'forest land'

The Selangor government has been urged to disclose the historical chronology of a 68.4ha parcel of land near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Kinrara, Puchong, which is said to be slated for development.

A large portion of the land falls under the purview of Subang MP Wong Chen's parliamentary seat, and the PKR lawmaker today demanded that the transaction price of the land be revealed, citing concerns over “possible acquisition costs that may ultimately be borne by taxpayers”.

“This is a pressing matter of public interest, and therefore the information requested - including a detailed historical chronology and matters related to the transaction - should be fully and immediately disclosed.

“I hope to receive a positive response from the Selangor state government within two weeks from the date of this letter,” he said.

Wong reminded that the state government has the Selangor Freedom of Information Enactment 2011, which allows for such disclosures.

He said this after receiving a petition signed by 3,752 residents opposing the development on the land.

According to him, representatives of residents’ associations had asked him to write to the state government to obtain the land’s chronology, as well as details of the transfer of ownership from Permodalan Negeri Selangor Berhad (PNSB) to the current owner.

He added that residents also want the state government to reacquire the land and re-gazette it as part of the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve.

In a related development, Wong said he met Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) mayor Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim on Dec 12.

According to Wong, the mayor agreed to provide regular updates should there be any assessments or further developments involving the land.

“In principle, I oppose this proposed housing development, but we must also take into account the cost of acquisition if the land is to be taken back and re-gazetted as part of the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve,” he said.

‘No application submitted’

Last November, it was reported that a group of residents staged a protest at Taman Tasik Wawasan, Puchong, against the project, while urging Kinrara assemblyperson Ng Sze Han to explain the details of the proposed development in the area.

The protest followed residents’ concerns over potential traffic congestion, environmental risks, and the loss of green spaces in an already densely populated town.

In a statement issued ahead of the protest, Ng said the disputed land is not part of any forest reserve, whether under the Selangor Forestry Department or Universiti Putra Malaysia’s Sultan Idris Shah Forestry Education Centre.

Ng also said MBSJ has yet to receive any development application from the landowner.

Pusat Bandar Puchong Residents’ Association deputy chairperson Awies Ung said the project near the forest reserve has raised widespread concern among residents of Bandar Kinrara, Bandar Puchong Jaya, Pusat Bandar Puchong (Taman Wawasan), and Bandar Puteri.

Awies said the project consultant contacted several residents’ associations on Nov 11 to conduct a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) as part of the planning process.

It was reported that preliminary documents shared during the SIA process showed that the proposed site is located next to a Muslim cemetery, facing SJK(C) Kheng Chee, and stretching towards Sri Kesidang, Rimba Residence, and Puncak Kinrara B Apartments.

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