"It contradicts the expressed promise of the former Datuk Bandar," said Derek Fernandez, the legal adviser to Friends of Bukit Gasing, here today.

Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Isa Samad had announced yesterday that 39ha of the forest land would be opened for development, while the remaining 58.3ha would be gazetted as a green lung.

The move to develop 39ha of forest land on the Kuala Lumpur side of Bukit Gasing contradicts policies and guidelines of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020.

The Development Strategy Plan (2) of the Structure Plan has zoned the Bukit Gasing forest and its surroundings as a green area.

The plan specifically says that the natural features of parts of Bukit Gasing shall be protected and developed as parks for recreational purposes.

It also says that City Hall shall not permit development on hillsides with slopes that exceed the allowable level, rules and regulations set by the Federal Government.

This means hillsides with a gradient of more than 25 degrees cannot be developed.

Further, a 1994 report by the Geological Survey Malaysia showed that Bukit Gasing was among several hillsides prone to landslides and unsuitable for development.

The report said that the sedimentary rocks, sandstone and interbeds of shale which make up Bukit Gasing was unstable.

A total of 37.6ha of Bukit Gasing in Petaling Jaya was gazetted as a forest reserve in 1961.

However, the status of the Kuala Lumpur side, which covers 116ha, has remained in limbo thus far despite previous promises that it would be gazetted by 2002, say residents who have long fought to save the green lung.

The move also goes against the stated policy of the Plan to conserve residual forest areas and maintain a sustainable variety and population of wildlife within the city boundaries.

"The existing open spaces and those to be identified shall be gazetted to ensure the continuity of its use," the Plan reads.

The Plan also finds that at present there is an incomplete green network, a lack of urban parks and open spaces in the city centre, district and neighbourhood centres.

According to the Structure Plan, open space, recreational and sports facilities account for only 6.5 per cent of total land use, currently.

The amount available as public open space is even less, when private open spaces such as golf courses are excluded.

This means what is currently available does not even meet City Hall Planning guidelines that a minimum 10 per cent of the built-up area must be maintained as open space.

Fernandez pointed out that in order to allow the proposed development announced yesterday, the Structure Plan, gazetted last year, would have to be amended.

Alterations to the Plan must be made available for public inspection and objection according to Section 11(B) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

"He (Isa) should refer to the Structure Plan which bears his signature." Fernandez said the clearing of even a small area in Bukit Gasing would have a tremendous effect on the overall green lung.

He urged the Minister to review the existing materials and consult with residents before making any decisions.

He has also asked that Isa honour his promises to ensure public confidence was not eroded.

On March 17 this year, Isa was reported as saying that the city side of Bukit Gasing would be turned into a forest reserve and be gazetted within the next few months.

He also said that the hill would be a fully recreational-cum-educational site once gazetted.

Although 58.3ha will be gazetted as a green lung, Friends of Bukit Gasing are unhappy.

Marilyn Thoo, secretary of Friends of Bukit Gasing and a resident in the area, said she was disappointed and uneasy with the ratio of forested land proposed for protection.

"When we met Tan Sri Isa in June 2004, we knew that a portion of Bukit Gasing may be developed. "We objected hoping the entire 116ha would be protected.

"We never expected such a large area to be opened for development.

"We have been trying to meet him to discuss the matter but have not been able to secure an appointment since March."

The Plan projects that by 2020 Kuala Lumpur will need 400ha of district parks, 440ha of neighbourhood parks, 218ha of local parks, and 220ha of local play area.