Stricter regulations for development on slopes in FT

KUALA LUMPUR: Stricter and more comprehensive regulations will be imposed on developers and the appointment of certified independent inspectors will be included in a guideline for development on high-risk slopes in the Federal Territory.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the implementation of the 2010 Guideline for Development Planning on Hills and Slopes in the Federal Territory (GPWPKL 2010) was expected to be an engineering solution in considering approval for development in risky areas.

He said the initiative was taken after considering public safety and the capacity to redevelop high-potential old areas, hence raising competitiveness in the development of the city's real estate sector.

"It also includes the best management and engineering practices for developers," he said at a news conference on the guideline, here, on Wednesday, Sept 22.

"Besides that, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will appoint certified independent inspectors who will look at the designs and monitor works on slopes at project sites, as well as give second opinions on the suitability of the engineering designs of development projects on high-risk slope areas," he said.

Also in line with the guideline's implementation, a special unit called the Slope Engineering Unit will be established to control, monitor and maintain the city's hills and slopes to ensure all developments adhere to the Slope Maintenance Guideline issued by the Public Works Department.

In relation to this, use of the GPWKL 2010 will replace the Housing and Local Government Guideline (GP KPKT 2009) which was used previously to coordinate the city's development needs with the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 and the Kuala Lumpur Draft Plan 2020.

This is because if the GP KPKT 2009 is retained, DBKL, which is responsible for the city's development, will face a shortage of development areas and legal action involving high payment to land owners and high land reacquisition costs.

"The truth is, we cannot avoid development on hills and slopes because Kuala Lumpur has reached almost 90% development, but it is subjected to regulations so that the area benefits in line with a compact development concept.

"I hope and assure that implementing the GPWKL will always stress on safety of people and property as well as on environmental preservation to achieve a Greater Kuala Lumpur," he said.

Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail, who was also present, said the GPWKL 2010 was to prevent confusion and misconceptions among developers on the laws and on handling development projects in high-risk areas.

"The previous guideline did not examine the technical aspects in detail, maybe because it was regarded as minor, but it's actually the most important part in carrying out a development project," he added. — Bernama