Development Only Around 2 Retention Ponds Capacity Unaffected Shahidan

---

Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim has revealed that there is existing development surrounding two out of six flood retention ponds in Kuala Lumpur that were allegedly given away for development projects.
He stressed, however, that the development only took place on the edge of the ponds and did not affect the available water capacity of Delima pond and Taman Wahyu pond, according to a news report.
“There is no retention pond that has been given approval to be converted for development, the existing (development) is on the edge (of the pond) but it does not affect the available water capacity.
“However, out of these six ponds, some are not involved in any development, some are involved in development, but the approval has been revoked,” he was quoted as saying in ministry-linked website Wilayahku.
Shahidan said this during a press conference after attending a briefing session on the retention ponds.
The briefing was delivered by the Federal Territories Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (JPSWPKL), Federal Territories of Lands and Mines Office (PTGWPKL) and the Planning Department of Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL).
It was also attended by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, Federal Territories Ministry Secretary-General Rosida Jaafar and Kuala Lumpur mayor Mahadi Che Ngah.
The six retention ponds in question were the Batu pond, Nanyang pond, Delima pond, Taman Wahyu pond, Batu 4 1/2 pond, and Taman Desa pond.
Shahidan said that the now-revoked projects that had involved water retention ponds would have affected the Taman Desa pond and Batu 4 1/2 pond.
The minister also claimed that there has been no commercial development project or transfer of ownership of the six retention ponds to the private sector.
He explained that the process of land ownership on the outskirts of water retention ponds is under the control of the Department of Director-General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) and is done directly without the involvement of a third party.
Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, alongside other opposition MPs, previously insisted that Federal Territories Minister Shahidan Kassim explain the status of six flood retention ponds in Kuala Lumpur that were given away for development projects.
He questioned whether the planning permissions have been granted or whether they were cancelled for the six flood retention ponds based on a 2019 Auditor-General's report which listed the date when the six ponds were approved for development, and which companies they went to.
The MACC has also initiated a probe into the alleged alienation of these ponds. - Mkini

---