Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Have Malaysians lost their right of objections to Development projects?

In the past, whenever, there is a development project like the construction of housing estates, apartments & condominiums, commercial buildings, etc - there always was a Notice Board at the project site inviting comments and objections from members of the public before the project is approved. The Notice Board will contain a brief description of the proposed project, together with relevant contact details (address, phone, email) as to where the said comments/objections should be addressed to. A deadline is also given. Then the people who objected will also be called for a public hearing where they have a chance to raise their concerns. After taking all considerations, then the project will be denied or approved, and if approved there will be conditions.

Nowadays, we do not see these Notice Boards anymore - it seems the right of objections has been withdrawn. Is it also the same in the Pakatan Rakyat governed states or are they still providing the right to be heard to the people - the rakyat.

Then, there was the letter that was sent to owners of property adjacent to these proposed Development Projects, but today many adjacent owners are also not receiving these Notices - hence again the denial of the right to be heard with regard to development in their area, near their homes, farms, kampungs,...

We know of these projects only when the excavators come and clear the land - and when we ask the people doing this work, they do not know - they were just contracted to clear the trees and flatten the land. Then, the construction starts, and people can only guess what will eventually emerge.

In my kampung here in Temerloh,Kampung Lubuk Layang, in which our road, which on both sides were trees and greenery with a lot of wildlife suddenly was cleared. Even the area which is 'road reserve' was cleared, Even the other side of the road was cleared. And in this hot season, it has become even hotter in this kampung and the people have lost the cooling trees. Here we had before two species of hornbill couples, the rare giant squirrel, wild boar, monkeys, squirrels, etc ...and all these natural wildlife has been lost...

Since the excavators have cleared both sides of the tarred kampung road, one worries what happens when the rains start - will the road be totally damaged by the actions of this developer...for without trees (or proper drainage) surely the wet season would lead to the road being destroyed. 

Some say that the ordinary rakyat is not being consulted because those 'government appinted JKKK' are being consulted - but alas they do not represent the people. They were never chosen or elected by the people. Many do not even know who their JKKK rep is, and there really is no effort to even have meetings or consultations with the people....so, if true, I would really object if it is the JKKK that is approving development projects on behalf of you and I without we knowing about it.

I DEMAND THE RIGHT TO BE CONSULTED...THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD WHEN IT COMES TO ANY PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN MY TOWN AND COMMUNITY 

RETURN THE NOTICE BOARDS AT PROPOSED PROJECT SITES...

 

 

No comments: