Money a great leveller when it comes to bending laws

 

Ten years ago this week, history of sorts was created at the sitting of the Selangor state assembly.

A motion urging the state government through local authorities to investigate and stop any development projects implemented without planning permission was passed at a sitting of the legislature.

While the Pakatan Harapan government had always poo-pooed efforts by BN (they were fighting tooth and nail to score political points), the motion was tabled by Umno’s then Jeram assemblyperson Amiruddin Setro.

Tabling the motion, he said that such unapproved projects posed a danger to the people.

The core issue was of course unplanned development, which has spiralled out of control with existing infrastructure unable to cope with the resulting demands.

“It is important, unplanned developments which are out of control can cause flash floods, erosions, and landslides which endanger the rakyat,” said Amiruddin, who was then deputy opposition leader in the state legislature.

Business as usual

Despite the motion, unplanned and haphazard development is still taking place with the state government’s involvement.

For example, a forest reserve was de-gazetted to allow development. The decision was reversed, thanks to spirited citizens and community leaders.

Didn’t the town planners consider the plight of the orang asli who lived on the fringes? Even access roads to the development would have caused environmental problems.

Similarly, large tracts of land originally meant for recreation and agriculture have changed hands with a view that they could be converted (with the tacit approval of the state) for residential or commercial purposes.

The basic rule is that any development requires integrating land use, transport, and utilities to improve the economic and social environment. In short, the community comes first.

But no. The might and power of some developers, usually supported by politicians, ensure these are either ignored or overlooked.

Well-meaning and civic-minded citizens who are brave enough to stand up incur the wrath of those involved and are branded as “anti-development”.

If there is non-compliance with the requirements, people are willing to stand up and say their piece. If this is treated as a veiled threat to approving authorities, let it be.

Complicit officials

Earlier this year, the Subang Jaya City Council unveiled a plan to build an elevated ramp from Bandar Sunway to smack right into the middle of a residential area in SS14, Subang Jaya.

The council argued that this would ease traffic jams in one area during peak hours but what about the inconvenience of the residents in the other area?

Just like transferring problematic civil servants, this is a feeble attempt to transfer the problem elsewhere but such moves seldom provide solutions.

Officials, especially elected ones, seem oblivious to such problems and in one case, they became the problem.

The infamous “palace” built by former assemblyperson the late Zakaria Deros in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran, reflects the callous attitudes of both the Klang Municipal Council and the state government.

The fact that the land belonged to the state and that it was built sans the necessary approvals from the local authority was a manifestation of the lawlessness that existed in the state pre-2008.

How did they allow a monstrous 16-room mansion to be built on land meant for low-cost houses? How was the land title issued?

Almost a law into himself, Zakaria was considered a warlord who could not be touched - and even the then menteri besar played ball in return for votes at the party level.

Rakyat gets the short end

Knowing the issues and the problems that would arise, why do local authorities approve planning permission in the first place?

Local authorities have been and are continuing to approve applications for massive development without considering how they will affect the public.

When the Damansara-Puchong (LDP) and Sprint highways were built, we were told that these two would alleviate massive traffic jams.

However, these are already bursting at the seams, with the LDP running at 130 percent capacity and long lines of cars are common sights even at non-peak hours.

Along the LDP between the Motorola junction and the junction leading to Taman Megah in Kelana Jaya, no fewer than 10 high-rise buildings have come up in Petaling Jaya over the past two years.

Another massive project on where the Giant Supermarket previously stood has been planned, further adding to the traffic woes of the people living in the vicinity.

Call it bad planning or the lack of it, development had been approved (on both sides of the LDP) without considering the infrastructure, hence the massive traffic build-up during peak hours.

Speaking out publicly on the ills of local governments for their shortcomings and wrongdoings does not necessarily mean they are being unjustifiably chastised.

The reference is aimed at the people appointed by the state government (unlike those elected by the people) and the power vested in them should be exercised in the interest of the people - not the moneyed developers of businesses.

Fundamental to any project that affects the people is consultation, which is provided for under the Town and Country Planning Act.

But such objection meetings are mere formalities, held just to satisfy the requirements of the law. In most cases, the views of affected residents are ignored and projects are approved.

The argument has always been that the owner is entitled to develop - put up buildings on his land but why is there no control over density?

The answer is simple - money is a great leveller and could cause some officials to close their eyes when applications are processed. - Mkini

---

R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.