Rising calls for answers over KL Bohol pond plan

StarMetro article on April 29.

MORE community leaders are questioning the government’s move to depart from its decision to protect the Bohol Flood Retention Pond land in Kuala Lumpur.

An earlier development proposal had been cancelled, but now there are stirrings with a tender process involving a massive housing project.

Among those speaking out is Subang Jaya MP Wong Chen, who said the flood-prone hotspot in Seputeh constituency was a stone’s throw from neighbourhoods under his purview.

“I am against the development project as it will reduce the retention pond’s capacity to mitigate future floods,” Wong said when contacted by StarMetro.

“In 2021 and 2022, parts of Taman Kinrara in my constituency experienced flash floods.

“These floods could have been prevented or at least mitigated if Bohol retention pond had been properly maintained.

“So the idea of shrinking the retention pond through further development is entirely misguided and will only undermine its original purpose of flood mitigation,” he stressed.

A recent tender notice by Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Lands and Mines Office (PTGWP) called for bids to design and upgrade the 63.45ha Bohol flood retention pond.

PTGWP published the tender notice on its website, inviting companies to submit bids for the project which also involved construction of housing units.

Six plots of land totalling 10.85ha are being alienated for the residential project.

The Save Kuala Lumpur (SKL) coalition also joined the chorus as it seeks clarification from the government about the U-turn.

“We will write a letter to Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, who chairs the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land executive committee (JKTWPKL),” said SKL chairman Datuk M. Ali.

“If anyone has insights into what’s happening, it would be him.

“The Prime Minister has instructed Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and PTGWP to revert all flood retention pond lands in the city to their original function,” Ali pointed out.

He said SKL had previously posed a similar question about Lorong Maarof Flood Retention Pond where a luxury condominium had been planned. The development proceeded despite the area being a flood hotspot.

“We now seek clarification on when and why the decision to develop the Bohol pond was made.

“It was just last year that the government scrapped the proposed project that had been approved during the previous administration.

“This backward step is extremely disappointing and we demand answers,” said Ali.

He reiterated that all existing flood retention ponds in the city must undergo periodic maintenance, as their water-holding capacity would diminish over time.

“We are currently facing a climate crisis – just look at Dubai (in the UAE), Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state and Hong Kong, which are grappling with devastating floods.

“Clearly we need long-term measures to combat floods, not have housing projects on flood retention pond land,” Ali added.

Last year, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed DBKL to prioritise the preservation of its remaining green lungs and open spaces to ensure the capital achieved its goal of becoming a green city.

The Prime Minister chaired a meeting with DBKL and Federal Territories Department (JWP) on July 17, 2023, to scrutinise the draft Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 (KLSP2040) before its gazettement.

In a statement a day later, Anwar expressed satisfaction with the report presented but reiterated that DBKL must focus on preserving the city’s green lungs and open spaces.

Stakeholders were responding to StarMetro’s front-page report titled “Flood Fears Rise Anew” on April 29, which highlighted the city’s second-largest flood retention pond being once again under threat.

The latest proposal involves 10.85ha land being alienated for a housing development that includes affordable housing and condominiums.

This comes nearly a year after the Federal Government halted a plan to allocate the land to a private developer.