Mixed reactions over redevelopment of flats

The news of the redevelopment of the Sri Pahang low-cost flats in Jalan Bukit Bangsar has generated mixed reactions from stakeholders in the affluent neighbourhood, with most welcoming any move to bring the area out of its slum-like state, but not without pre-consultation.

“There should be public consultation and town hall meetings to seek our feedback under LA 21,” said House Buyers Association honorary secretary-general Chang Kim Loong.

“Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) seems to want an outright sale, meaning it will lose its control over the property.

“Instead, it should do a joint venture to retain control and ensure compliance for the betterment of the stakeholders,” he said.

“We doubt the number of redeveloped affordable units will be enough to go around, looking at the total existing units,” Chang added.

He questioned the need to uproot the residents from their present surroundings.

“Doesn’t DBKL know that ratepayers in the country are going through difficult times? Why add to their stress?” he asked.

Echoing Chang’s sentiments was Bukit Bandaraya Residents’ Association president Datuk M. Ali who was also concerned about the lack of information on the project.

“Traffic impact on Lorong Marrof in Bangsar is not the only thing we are worried about.

“This proposed poject and other upcoming projects are going to worsen the congestion not just in Bangsar but Brickfields as well as surrounding areas,” he said.

Ali also said the lack of information on the project was a cause for concern.

“Who are the developers and what will the plot ratio and population density be?

“This information should have been disclosed at a town hall meeting with stakeholders,” he said, adding that all development should be frozen until the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (DKLCP) was gazetted.

Meanwhile, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said, “The residents cannot be left in the dark. I would like to ask for speedy disclosure of the information to help the residents understand the implications of the upcoming mixed development project. We have a right to know more,” she said.

In an article in StarMetro recently titled Block of Uncertainty, it had been reported that the Government was in negotiations with a developer to sell two parcels of prime land for redevelopment in Jalan Bukit Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, where the PPR Sri Pahang and the old railway quarters currently stand.

The low-cost government housing scheme is home to about 8,000 residents, a majority of whom are living below the poverty line.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the Public-Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) under the Prime Minister’s Department is currently in negotiations with developer Pro Green Generation Sdn Bhd, a member of Suez Capital Sdn Bhd, for a proposed mixed development.

Due to the condition of the Sri Pahang PPR, the government chose Pro Green Generation for the project after its succesful work in the recent redevelopment of the Kampung Kerinchi Flats, which was carried out by Suez Domain Sdn Bhd, another member of Suez Capital. - BY The Star