Bkt Lanjan villagers worried about high-rise project

RESIDENTS of Kampung Bukit Lanjan in Segambut are concerned that a high-rise residential project within their village will adversely affect their way of life.

Construction of the 31-storey building is set to begin this month on a 1.5ha site in the village which has 180 homes and almost 800 residents.

Kampung Bukit Lanjan Residents Association (KBLRA) chairman Abdul Halim Halid said that they were not informed about the development.“We found out about it only when the developer held a briefing about the project at our surau on Nov 25.

“There was no notice or letter given to any of our residents even though Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) gave the development order back in 2021,” said Abdul Halim during a press conference.

He pointed out that the area’s hilly topography made it unsuitable for such a big development.

“Over the years, residents have seen increased water flowing from the hills and our drainage system is almost at full capacity.”

“There have been a number of flash flood incidents and if the environmental impact of the project is not taken seriously, most of the homes in Kampung Bukit Lanjan will be threatened as they are in low-lying areas.

”The proposed project will have 188 units.

“This will effectively double the number of residents in Kampung Bukit Lanjan.”

He said traffic congestion had worsened as more motorists were now using village roads as a shortcut to several highways nearby.

“What will happen when heavy vehicles ply our village roads to reach the construction site?”

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh’s political secretary Yap Yee Vonne, who attended the press conference, said the MP’s office was only informed about the project when it received a notice on the Nov 25 briefing.

“We have told DBKL that the surrounding infrastructure is not capable of sustaining the development.

“We urged them to consider the residents’ views.”

Resident Ali Noordin was fuming over the lack of communication from the developer and authorities, saying it was not fair to exclude residents.

“Many Kampung Bukit Lanjan residents value the natural beauty and peaceful environment here.

“It is unacceptable to call for a briefing only a month before construction begins.

“The briefing given to residents was more of a sales presentation rather than one to provide relevant information on the project.

“We have yet to see any environmental, traffic or social impact assessment reports.”

Halim, who has lived in the village for almost 50 years, said residents also sent a petition to DBKL recently, with 159 signatures opposing the project.

Retired university lecturer Ramli Bahroom, who signed the petition, said the authorities should have done more to communicate with residents.

StarMetro reached out to DBKL for comments but did not receive a reply by press time.