Ng See Eng, a resident representative, called for transparency on the project’s approval as well as its suspension.

“We demand that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the irrigation and drainage department provide us with a detailed and transparent briefing on the proposed project.

“We urge the government to halt all approvals immediately and consult with us,” he told reporters here.

On Monday, The Star reported that despite the government’s previous commitment to scrapping the land deal last year following opposition from local residents, stakeholders and MPs, it was pushing ahead with its plan to revoke the land’s status for public use.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers published a notice in the federal government gazette on May 8, announcing the proposed revocation of the land reservation for public purposes under Section 64(2) of the National Land Code.

Originally designated for flood mitigation and officially gazetted on Nov 4, 2010, the area was reportedly earmarked for residential development.

Ng said the proposed project would worsen traffic congestion and increase the risk of flooding in the area.

“Houses in Kinrara, Puchong, have experienced severe flooding several times recently.

“These floods were caused by excessive development on the Kuala Lumpur/Puchong border and the failure of the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond to function properly,” he said.

He also questioned the approval process, claiming it lacked sufficient consultation with local stakeholders.

“We would like to ask DBKL and the government why this ‘high-density project’ was quietly approved without consultation with MPs, state assemblymen, and the Subang Jaya City Council,” said Ng.

He said the residents also want the government to fund an upgrade of the flood retention pond to better protect the area from future floods, instead of allowing the developer to alter the pond in exchange for development rights.