“The government has failed to explain (how the development will not cause floods) and has pressed on with its decision. When it continues with such a decision without engaging residents, there would definitely be issues,” he said today while at a public forum on the proposed development.

The forum was held by a coalition for the preservation of the Kampung Bohol flood retention pond to brief residents about matters concerning the proposed development.

With Khalid at the forum were the lawyer Nasser Yusof, representing the residents, and Mokhsin Junaaid, chariman of the Taman Sri Endah management corporation.

Nasser said the Kampung Bohol residents are considering taking legal action over the proposed development.

The residents had previously voiced opposition to the degazetting of the pond for a proposed housing development, and called for the development to be suspended over fears of a risk of flooding in the area and increased traffic congestion.

The government was reported to have agreed last year to scrap the deal, following opposition from residents, stakeholders and MPs, but was now pushing ahead with the plan, according to The Star.

On May 16, federal territories minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the government had made it a “mandatory condition” for the developer to upgrade the retention pond before any development order is issued.

The federal territories land and mines office said the move would result in significant government savings, adding that the upgrade would have cost taxpayers RM40 million but would now be borne by the developer.

The Bohol flood retention pond is located near Taman Kinrara, bordering Petaling Jaya.