Headline :(HL) Bukit Cahaya development saw zero monitoring

NEW SUNDAY TIMES

Date :06/03/2005
Page :01
Byline :By R.S. Kamini; Nisha Sabanayagam
Type : Prime News

KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - Here is the truth: there was zero monitoring of the development around Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam agricultural park by the Shah Alam City Council.
That explains why seven developers were prepared to go-ahead with land clearing work even without approval from the local authority. That also explains why two developers did not follow a pre-approved schedule.
There was no one watching them gorge up the green belt near the park.
Shah Alam deputy mayor Za'ba Che Rus said none of the eight developers given approval to carry out earthworks was monitored as they had been given a pre-approved schedule by the council.
"The council cannot be expected to monitor every project," he said.
Also, since the developers involved were big corporate organisations, the council expected them to follow the rules.
"In fact, they should be able to get environmental consultants to guide them," he said.
His comments will shed more light on the destruction to the green belt in Bukit Cerakah, a situation which has threatened the ecology of the park and invited criticisms from the Prime Minister downwards.
Yesterday, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo rapped the city council for lack of enforcement and monitoring. Za'ba laid some of the blame on the developers.
He said that they did not follow the pre-approved schedule provided by the council. It contained guidelines on a proper drainage and irrigation system, the cutting and felling of trees and land-clearing work.
He declined to comment when asked about the seven developers who started work without approval from the council.

They are going to be charged in court next week and could face a maximum fine of RM50,000.
Alternatively, they could be jailed up to five years. The two developers who had not followed approved specifications in
developing land bordering the park face a RM2,000 fine.
Meanwhile, the WWF Malaysia today welcomed the Prime Minister's proposal to make it mandatory for developers to submit environmental impact assessment reports for any development covering 20 hectares of land or more.
Scientific officer Sara Srinivasan also said that effective monitoring of any development should be accompanied by stricter laws. "Stiffer penalties should be imposed on any developer that flouts the law instead of the RM2,000 fine."

ENDS/