PETALING JAYA, July 4: Pertubuhan Pelindung Khazanah Alam Malaysia (Peka) has once again called for an independent surveyors report on Bukit Gasing, as well as documents showing approvals for ongoing construction activities on the slope of the hill.
Responding to Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon recent statement that there have been no encroachment of the gazetted Bukit Gasing Forest Reserve, and that the ongoing development met the criteria for development, Peka’s president Rajesh Nagarajan said no issue of encroachment of the Bukit Gasing Forest Reserve had been raised.
The area is geologically sensitive and one of the remaining forested areas in the Klang Valley and the concern for Peka is that the construction works are being carried out on the steep slopes of the Gasing hill. These present landslide risks, he said.
During a peaceful protest outside the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) earlier in June this year, the non governmental organisation, together with residents and hikers of Bukit Gasing had handed over a memorandum to the council, urging it to halt all development on the hillside.
Rajesh has also urged for more transparency and called on MBPJ to make public any approvals granted for the construction works in the hill slopes.
Following the June protest, Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran in a Facebook posting had also said there were no development in the forest reserves.
He said that the southern part of the hill contained several roads and bungalow lots, namely Jalan 5/64, Jalan 5/66 (leading up to the Sivan Temple), and Jalan 5/60 (leading up to Fraser Tower).
“On both sides of these roads are bungalow lots, the titles of which date back to before Merdeka.
“These bungalow lots are owned by various individuals, one of whom is currently developing the land,” he said.
–WE