DBKL: Project next to school in Desa ParkCity meets criteria

The Star

2 days ago

The construction site is just next to the school in Desa ParkCity. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) says that a high-rise development next to an international school in Desa ParkCity has received all necessary approvals.
In a statement, DBKL said the development order for the 46-storey mixed development, located next to The International School @ ParkCity (ISP), was approved on Sept 10, 2019.
'An amendment to this development was subsequently approved on Dec 30, 2024.
'The project on private land, allocated for commercial purposes, includes offices, retail units and carparks.
'This approval was granted after taking into account the entire proposed development's components and intensity, which is in line with Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP2020).'
In February, parents of students studying in ISP learned of the adjacent development during a meeting and protested, citing safety and disturbance concerns.
They sought mitigation measures from the developer, who presented options in a subsequent March meeting.
However, parents remain unconvinced, finding the high-rise too close for comfort.
They claim that the developer, who also owns the school, has failed to engage in further dialogue since the initial two meetings.
DBKL acknowledged complaints and objections for the project, including the building's setback, health concerns during construction and the potential for traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
'The developer is responsible for conducting engagement sessions with affected residents and complying with all established construction conditions, including permitted working hours and duration.
'It must also prevent damage to adjacent plots and public properties like roads, drains and trees, while controlling disturbances such as noise, air pollution and dirt in the surrounding area,' added DBKL.
It is learnt that the parents' group plan to file an application for a judicial review of the project.
'The high-rise project is only 8m from the school compound,' said a parent who wanted to be known as Sharon.
Mariam Bajunid said her children had complained about the construction being too noisy during school hours, disrupting lessons.
'My six-year-old son told me that his football session was cut short once due to the construction,' she said.
The parents have since formed a group called Parents For Safer Schools and launched a petition against the project, garnering over 1,400 signatures.
It is learnt that Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh has met with parents over the matter.
Her political secretary Yap Yee Vonne said DBKL had been alerted to take immediate action and that the Education Ministry was also consulted to determine if there was any special guidelines pertaining to this matter.
'However, the ministry has confirmed that there are none, and that such issues fell under the jurisdiction of the local authority,' said Yap.
An English daily reported the developer saying that the project had received the necessary regulatory approvals and permits and that it complied with existing laws.