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I was shocked by the statement of Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Isa Samad (NST, June 17) on the proposed development of 39ha at the Bukit Gasing Forest Reserve.

As minister, he should be the caretaker of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan. He should be the first to uphold the spirit and provisions of the plan.

The plan had been formulated with much public funds and with public participation.

It had gone through massive publicity and public dialogue. It represents the collective views and intentions of the people of Kuala Lumpur and its adjoining neighbours.

For someone to simply dismiss the plan goes against the promise of the Government for public participation in planning and development and indeed, good governance.

It is imperative that the minister not take such a high-handed attitude but accept the decisions of the people.

The minister said the reason for developing the forest and hill land is that there is insufficient land within the Federal Territory to meet the needs of the growing population.

However, there are other alternatives to developing the small area of forests we have in the city.

One logical option that has been practised in many major cities in the world is the redevelopment and revitalisation of inner cities.

Old and dilapidated areas within the city can be reclaimed for new development.

Allowing for higher densities and plot ratios will mean that land use is maximised and existing infrastructure fully utilised.

The Government has formulated the National Physical Spatial Plan.

It should be a plan followed by all local authorities in which policies on hill land and environmentally-sensitive areas have been outlined and accepted by the National Physical Planning Council chaired by the Prime Minister.

For one minister to act and allow development on hill slopes and forested areas is contrary to the collective decisions of the council.

Hill lands with gazetted forests should not be sacrificed for the very few, but should belong to everyone in the community.

KHAIRIAH MOHD TALHA
Secretary-general
Eastern Regional Organisation for Planning and Housing

WE were horrified to read that 39ha out of a total of 97.3ha of forest land in Bukit Gasing is going to be developed.

The development would serve the interest of only a few - those who can afford the bungalows on this fine hill - and not serve the interest of the general public, let alone our environment.

This is completely contrary to the promise of former Datuk Bandar Datuk Mohamad Shaid Mohd Taufek on May 7, 2002 when he promised that the Kuala Lumpur forest side of Bukit Gasing would be gazetted in full. This does not seem to be the case now.

The Development Strategy Plan (2) of the KL Structure Plan 2020 states that Bukit Gasing should be protected and developed as parks for recreational purposes.

It says 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.

This relaxation of hillslope development may open the floodgates to a surge of such projects around Bukit Kiara, Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Sungei Buloh Forest Reserve, Ulu Kelang and other hillslopes.

This wanton act of destruction against our beautiful hill must be stopped and we call upon other non-governmental organisations to support us in voicing their objections.

DATUK NICK PETERSON
Vice-chairman
Friends of Bukit Gasing