The Star today carries a report suggesting that the Selangor government could be buckling under developers’ pressure to allow projects on steep hill-slopes.
Selangor is reported to be drafting new “new development guidelines” for Class 3 (25-35 degrees) and Class 4 (above 35 degrees) slopes.
The state had earlier taken a commendable position by imposing an outright ban on steep hill-slope development. Its ban on steep hill-slope projects was one of the few issues that had set the Pakatan government apart from the BN government. Residents in Tanjung Bunga in Penang had been encouraged by Selangor’s previous principled ban on hill-slope projects.
Alas, no longer, it would seem. Compared to an outright ban, “guidelines” are pretty worthless. It’s a pity that the Selangor government appears to be caving in to the powerful developers’ lobby.
This just goes to show how powerful and influential this lobby is whether in Selangor or in Penang. In the case of Selangor, the developers have reportedly threatened to move their projects from Selangor to Johor.
The Selangor government should have just called their bluff and told the developers to go ahead. Most of the property development in the country is focused on the Klang Valley and Selangor – which is already heavily built up. No sad loss then if the developers were to shift their attention to Johor and spread the concrete and tar around a little. It might even improve the quality of life in Selangor by reducing the pressure on precious green lungs and hills.
But no, the Pakatan Selangor government, by indicating it wants to review its hill-slope policy, has revealed how powerful the developers’ lobby is and how eager the state is to be seen as “pro-business” – even at the expense of being pro-people and protecting the environment.
Just ask the folks in Bukit Antarabangsa what they think now.
If it evolves to a guideline that is used and adhered to, I do think it is still a progress. While i prefer that there is no development, I do observe that Star is quite focussed on selangor nowadays.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Selangor gov’t caves in to developers?: The Star today carries a report suggesting that the Selangor government .. http://bit.ly/1Lc60
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Who are these developers – I mean devilopers? Are they not mostly greedy businessmen who have long supported corruption…? Now it appears they are using their financial leverage to blackmail Khalid Ibrahim… I call upon the children of such devilopers to publicly disown their fathers who are selling their own children’s future down the drain.
No use going to church or praying 5 times a day in the mosque or burning incense at the temple – if your soul is rotten to the core!
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
LOL….
When BN permit development in hill-slopes – BN jahat..BN only care for money, BN is evil, BN corrupt..
When PR permit development in hill-slopes – forward thinking, will generate wealth for state, this is development..
Go figure.
LOL….
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Khalid is just a palm-oil nut kind of material. The nut cracks easily…
Come next GE, Khalid and other nut-cases are gone case..
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
BN IS Jahat and is devil!!! 52 years of advantage taken out of the rakyat with massive development underthe gusie of developers which in actual fact are cronies of big guys in BN parties. Are they real businessmen? They line the pockets to get whatever ways they can for development.
PR is not even 2 years old and you start to compare it with 52 years BN? Development must continue, no matter if Bn or PR is the govt of the day. Its only sustained and properly monitored development based on guidelines and rules set by authorities with the able advise of consultants and professionals that development can be contained and not as haphazard as during BN’s time.
Look at what happened in Bukit Cerakah which is just short distance from Selangor state govt office and MB’s room can see very clearly? This is what you called develpoment not following guidelines and not monitored. As resident of Selangor, I wish for develpoment and without develpoment, the economy is dead.
Whether the set guidelines from the govt is properly monitored or followed, that we shall see and PR will definitely not stay long if they are the same as BN under toyo. Therefore I believe that all hillside development will be under very strict supervision and no hanky panky involved as any mishaps will bear down on the govt severely and PR cannot afford such mishaps.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Recently Lim Kit Siang called for an urgent need to concentrate on creating jobs. It would seemed that the country may be facing very hard times despite the lack of publications on the state of economy of the country. No news is not necessarily good news in this case. It is just an attempt to shape perception.
Economic development is important but for it not to create problems down the road there is even a greater need to re-look at the economic model of development. The underlying philosophy and rationale of development must be carefully formulated. Capitalistic philosophy that many developing countries aspire to is already now proven to be a failed paradigm and najib, with his so-called new economic model of development – which so far is a lot of hot air – but whatever that was revealed indicated that it is still adopting the capitalistic model of development.
Anwar’s economic development philosophy of placing the individual at the center of the development model holds much promise. But little else was revealed after its pronouncement. Perhaps Anwar should steal the thunder from under najib’s new economic model. I think anwar is afraid that najib will steal his ideas instead.
Khalid, as all leaders should do, should look at the long term. Hillslope development for the rich and famous/infamous is ego satisfying for these people but why risk the limbs and life of the wider community as well as the environmental well-being ?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
a well written article mate
i hope the pr guys reading this article will convince the CM selangor to change his mind—–DAMMMMMMMM building on steep slopes will bring more floods.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I am with amoker on this score though I cannot help but empathise with Fatimah Zuhri’s sentiments on this proposed review.
However, Fatimah is too quick to make comparison. I think she ought not be too Nazriesque in her response (too quick on the draw…Nazri had reportedly advised MACC to not hesitate using the gun following an alleged arson attack…still doubt it is arson…another staged drama to get sympathy and support? Could even be self inflicted, like Anwar did, and Beng Hock, too?) Anyway I digress.
So, let’s keep an eye on what the Pakatan government is going to do and if they are out of line, yank them back to reality.
What are guidelines to be put in place? Let’s give them the benefit of an explanation. Ok, no?
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Only people with money live on hill slope. Only expensive homes are build on hill sides. These people choose to live with danger. It is their lives. Who cares about them.
I have no sympathy for the people living in Bukit Antarabangsa. I have no sympathy for anyone who choose on buy a property on these expensive hillside development.
They asked for it.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
we need developers, it is all about $$$. we should not be jealous of the developers, if you are so good, then be one of them. when u are a developer, then you can proudly sya that your company adheres to the highest quality standard and does not built on hillslopes. otherwise, just shut-up.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thanks Anil for bringing up this matter.
We are extremely disappointed to hear the news here in Selangor too.
More hillside developments on class 3 & 4 slopes not only endanger nearby residents but causes so much environmental problems, more flooding, water shortage, among others.
I hope our MB, Teresa, Ronnie & Elizabeth will study this matter in greater depth and consider the long term implications.
You made a good point Anil, yes why don’t these developers move their projects to Johor? Why are they pressing so hard to build in Selangor? Commercial viability of course. But if they are so desperate to build here, they have to follow the planning laws. The MB must not ‘flip-flop’ to accommodate them instead.
Let’s see what the residents of Ulu Klang – Bukit Antarabangsa, Taman Melawati, Ukay Heights, Dataran Ukay, Hillview, Taman TAR, Taman Sri Ukay, Ukay Perdana, etc and not forgetting Bukit Gasing, Medan Damansara, and thousands of others affected by these hillslope developments have to say … come next election.
Sorry to be blunt, but if they think they are worried about a handful of developers (after all, its only 1bil) they won’t have worry after next election, cos they won’t have Selangor to worry about any more.
We are anxiously waiting to see what these ‘guidelines’ are.
Thx,
Selangor Resident
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Lets not just blame the developers. What about the buyers? It would be stupid to built properties with no buyers, rite? No buyers, no development, common sense. What is needed are strict guidelines with strict enforcement. Plus educated and well-informed buyers.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Loh Yeow Boo of Penang
- Nobody is envious of developers. If a developer is so stooopid as to purchase a piece of land comprising mostly class 3 & 4 slopes, with the knowledge (or worse, not even knowing) that town & country planning laws prohibit building on them, then that is their problem. Nobody is envious of stooopid developers.
(Having said that, there are many good and established developers out there, who are more knowledgable and genuinely concerned about sustainable development.)
FenceSitter
- going by your logic, the world be uthopia. Unfortunately, guidelines will always be just … ‘guidelines’, we need laws. As for enforcement, sigh ….
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
LOL…
Wow…some of the PR supporters are really weird..now they are blaming the buyer (a.k.a Rakyat)? The same people who voted their superman, batman, flashman and what not to become the state govt.
Is this how PR mentality works?
If PR is at fault – Blame BN, Blame UMNO, Blame the Rakyat
LOL…
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
In the current political climate this land is full of irresponsible developers colluding with corrupt officials to develop hillsides, taking short cuts and disregarding the environment and safety of the eventual occupiers of those properties. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean to say all developers or officials are like that. Yes guidelines and laws are just on paper and our enforcement agencies are to say the least deplorable. This is when the buyers, yes that’s us rakyat, comes in. How many of us easily get duped, blinded and excited by the wonderful view, greenery, “good fengsui”, exclusive settings of hillside properties without taking a second look at the location, safety and environmental aspects? That why I said potential buyers need to be educated about all these issues so that they are knowlegeable with them. Only when buyers shy away from questionable developments will those developments stop and force developers to get their act together in order to survive.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Anil,
I am quite amused with your quest of banning all Class 4 buildings due to environmental reasons. I believe with your suggestion, most Hong Kong deemed unconstructable.
I understood that you are socialist at heart. However, such actions would not work simply because the most important tenet for all mankind.
Food on the table. Jobs! Shelters! Blindly shooting developers would not achieve anything.
People,
What we need strict enforcement. Rule of Law. That’s how Singapore survive. That’s why I don’t agree with Anil quest of saving KBP. I say that again, it’s all Anil’s faults. Giving false hopes for KBP folks. In the end, losing supports from everybody.
Anil,
Those developers are still laughing at sheer act of stupidity
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Fatimah … they are all like that. The hatred for BN is so strong that they will make excuses for PR and then blame BN for setting up trojans. PR is a dead end … its getting worse each day.
Complain about this comment
Like or Dislike:
0 
0