Taman Kinrara residents association chairman Alvin Lee said the pond was not functioning properly due to a poor drainage system, leading to recurrent flash floods affecting the Kesas Highway.
“Therefore, we call on the government to focus on upgrading the pond instead,” he said during a public hearing session held at the federal territories land and mines office today.
The session was attended by approximately 100 residents, some of whom were left disappointed by the lack of an expert to address their concerns.
Lee said the residents needed an expert to address their questions and that deputy director of the federal territories land and mines office Ahmad Fuad Mustaffa, who conducted the session, was not one.
“I need the right person to be here to answer the right question. If they cannot answer our concerns, then they need to reconsider their plan,” he said.
The New Straits Times previously reported that Platinum Victory Sdn Bhd, set to undertake housing projects, had paid the government RM41.7 million in land premium payments.
On Thursday, federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the government had pledged to upgrade the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond before allowing any developments in the area.
This followed opposition by locals to the degazetting of the pond for a proposed housing development.
The pond will be undergoing de-gazettement to allow for a 2.1ha expansion, increasing its area to 63.5ha.
Despite previous opposition and government commitments that the development deal would be cancelled, a recent notice published by the Attorney-General’s Chambers in the federal gazette had indicated a renewed push to develop the land under Section 64(2) of the National Land Code.
Resident Alvin Chan, 36, said the government should not allow a “trade-off” where the developer upgrades the pond in exchange for being awarded another plot for development, as this would worsen the situation.
“Don’t tell me this holistic redefining of this pond is meant for our own good. I believe this is all catered for this future development,” he said.
Chan also said that a proposed development adjacent to the Kesas Highway would worsen traffic flow, as it would take place on land reserved for future highway expansion.
“This is not right. With all this kind of development, the whole place will be jammed up, plus the flooding will be even worse,” he said, adding that water waste would already be coming from the proposed 5,000 housing units.