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The Star
3 hours ago
- General
- The Star
‘No' to Kg Bkt Lanjan high-rise
The site of the proposed 27-storey condominium at Jalan Penchala Indah, Kampung Bukit Lanjan, in the centre with ongoing construction of the 35-storey project on the left. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star RESIDENTS of Kampung Bukit Lanjan, Kuala Lumpur and surrounding neighbourhoods are objecting to a proposed 27-storey apartment project at Lot 3119 Jalan Penchala Indah. This marks the second time in recent years the community has opposed a hillside construction in the area. Next to the proposed site, situated on Malay reserve land, is a 35-storey project under construction. The latest high-rise came to light in January when a public notice was placed at the site. Residents claimed they have not been officially informed and learned about it only during their daily commute. Mohamed Ali: There have been two landslides not far from the site. According to the notice, the development will have 154 units. The site is located on a narrow, elevated section of Jalan Penchala Indah, just uphill from Residensi The Trees and Residensi Armani. Objections have been filed by residents of Residensi The Trees, Residensi Armani, Kampung Bukit Lanjan and heritage advocacy group Anak Jati Penchala. Each group submitted petitions to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Segambut MP's office and issued a joint statement on May 10. 'There have already been two landslides this year not far from where the site is,' said Kampung Bukit Lanjan resident Mohamed Ali Noordin. He said the authorities should prioritise preserving the area's character. 'Kampung Bukit Lanjan is one of the last Malay reserve areas in the city,' he told StarMetro, adding that road infrastructure was already at breaking point. 'Almost every single high-rise project has the issue of cars parked outside because there are not enough parking bays. Abdul Halim is disappointed with DBKL's lack of engagement with residents. In their joint statement, the four groups cited inconsistencies with Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040 (KLSP 2040), as well as flood and landslide risks, road capacity issues and erosion of the village's identity. 'It is clearly stated in the plan that village areas and existing communities should be safeguarded,' said Residensi The Trees Management Corporation chairman Mohamad Sazali Samjis. 'Even without the proposed construction, the infrastructure is struggling, the drainage system cannot keep up with the volume of rainfall,' said Sazali. A public engagement session on May 11 was held by a consultant appointed by the developer, but residents said DBKL officials were not present. 'Every resident who attended the meeting strongly objected to the project,' said Kampung Bukit Lanjan Residents Association chairman Abdul Halim Halid. Minutes of the meeting, he said, has yet to be shared. 'They said they would circulate the minutes, but it has been a month and we have received nothing.' He expressed disappointment with DBKL's lack of engagement with residents. Abdul Halim noted that the project notice listed no identifiable name of the developer. DBKL had not responded to StarMetro's queries at press time.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Climate
- The Star
Climate change and freak weather
Dark skies: Malaysia is currently undergoing the inter-monsoon period until May. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star PETALING JAYA: Thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are normal during the inter-monsoon season but this time, the weather has been far more vicious. Weather experts say climate change and a warming planet could be the reasons for these violent thunderstorms. While the pattern is normal, the thunderstorms may be more extreme due to the influence of global warming and climate change, said climatologist Prof Dr Fredolin Tangang. 'Last year, the global mean temperature exceeded the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C threshold,' he noted. 'With this kind of warming, we have more moisture in the air and, together with increasing heat, thunderstorms and heavy rainfalls can become stronger and more frequent.' He pointed out that with the country undergoing the inter- monsoon period between now and May, thunderstorms and heavy rainfall episodes are typical, especially in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, during this period. 'This can cause more flash floods,' he added. CLICK TO ENLARGE Tangang, who is also an Academy of Sciences Malaysia Fellow, also noted that the Pacific region is at the Enso-neutral phase, meaning there are no anomalous conditions such as El Nino or La Nina. 'We don't expect any significant influence from the Pacific Ocean during the Enso-neutral phase,' he said. According to National Antarctica Research Centre climatologist Prof Datuk Dr Azizan Abu Samah, heavy rainfall usually occurs along the west coast during pre-dawn. He said the recent violent storms could be due to the formation of cumulonimbus clouds, which are driven to the coastal areas by the westerly wind in the early morning. Azizan added, however, that it is difficult to say if the current weather in the country is out of the ordinary despite the Pacific ocean being at the Enso-neutral phase. On the increasing flash floods in the Klang Valley, he said this is also due to rapid urbanisation, which results in increased surface run-off. Meanwhile, MetMalaysia has issued a statement that the inter-monsoon phase started on March 25, marking the end of the northeast monsoon period. The inter-monsoon period, it explained, usually brings sudden burst of winds and heavy showers during the late evening and night.
The Star
24-04-2025
- The Star
Malaysia first nation authorised to distribute nusuk cards for haj
Religious Affairs Minister Datuk Setia Mohd Na'im Haji Mokhtar. —SAMUEL ONG/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has marked another milestone by becoming the first country in the world to be granted approval by the Saudi Arabian government to distribute nusuk cards to haj pilgrims domestically before their departure to the Holy Land. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar (pic) said the approval is a recognition of Malaysia's efficient haj management system. The nusuk card, introduced by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, serves as the official identification for all pilgrims worldwide. 'Last year, the nusuk cards were handed out in Mecca before the wukuf ritual but this year, they will be distributed earlier to ease the pilgrims' movement. 'If we succeed in managing the domestic distribution of the nusuk cards, the initiative will be extended to other Muslim countries. 'This is a significant recognition from the Saudi government, made possible through the close and strategic cooperation between Tabung Haji (TH) and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,' he told reporters after visiting the Haj Visa Processing Unit to observe preparations for the 1446H/2025 pilgrimage season. Also present were TH chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain and chief executive officer Datuk Syed Hamadah Syed Othman. Mohd Na'im also extended appreciation to the Saudi government for its efficiency in issuing visas and improving the nusuk card system. 'This achievement will serve as a catalyst for TH to continue providing the best services to Malaysian pilgrims,' he said, Bernama reported. Meanwhile, he said the visa issuance process for Malaysian pilgrims for this year's haj season has reached 45%. 'TH is also fully prepared for this year's hajj operations, with readiness at nearly 100%. This year, TH is deploying 632 haj personnel comprising welfare staff, medical staff and external agencies involved,' he added.
