Ampang, a township in Selangor that boasts a population of close to 700,000, sits at the edge of Malaysia’s bustling capital, Kuala Lumpur.
It has a rich history, due to the fact that it was a successful tin mining town, with Jalan Ampang being the main artery to ferry people and products to the city centre.
Some of the buildings in Pekan Ampang, which are still standing today, were built over 100 years ago.
As the population increased over the years, so too, did the traffic in Ampang. The township is notoriously known for its traffic congestion.
This, despite the fact that Ampang has turned into a maze of highways, with the Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway being the latest.
Residents, already battling noise and dust pollution, are now up in arms over the proposed development of another expressway – the Kuala Lumpur Northern Dispersal Expressway (KL NODE).
Locals are also concerned about the over-development in certain areas, the clearing of green spaces, and the alignment of the MRT Line 3, which may impact their neighbourhoods.
These are among the grouses that will be raised as representatives from residents’ associations and business owners gather at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) headquarters in Pandan Indah to discuss the draft MPAJ Local Plan 2035.
The first hearing session, organised by the council’s Local Investigations and Hearing Committee, started yesterday. Chaired by Selangor state executive councillor for Local Government, Public Transport and New Village Development Ng Sze Han, it saw 55 issues brought forward by 63 respondents.
Tomorrow’s session, involving 110 issues raised by 1,263 respondents, will be chaired by state executive councillor for Housing, Urban Wellbeing and Entrepreneurs Development, Rodziah Ismail.
The final session, which will be chaired by state executive councillor for Infrastructure, Public Amenities and Agriculture Modernisation and Agro-based Industry Izham Hashim, is scheduled for Oct 4. Matters regarding KL NODE and MRT 3 are among the 52 issues, raised by 1,623 respondents, that will be discussed that day.
Ng stressed that the task of the committee was to hear the complaints, views, and suggestions raised by the residents and other stakeholders.
“The findings will be compiled and presented to the board before any decision is made,” said Ng.
The local council is eager to develop Ampang. This is to generate more revenue, as 52.7 per cent of the 13,937 hectares of land under MPAJ’s jurisdiction, is forested. Transportation infrastructure takes up the next bulk of land (13 per cent), while 12.3 per cent is residential areas. Commercial spaces and industrial areas account for only 1.9 per cent and 0.6 per cent of the land, respectively.
This is the main reason why MPAJ has been unable to raise funds, compared to Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
Zuraina Said, MPAJ’s town planning department director, said the construction of MRT 3 would help generate the economy for the local community and the local council.
Zuraina explained that MPAJ’s development will hinge on the theme, ‘Ampang KITA’, which is based on the wellbeing and social harmony of the people, inclusive development, good governance, and sustainable development.
In short, the local council plans to realise Ampang as a liveable city. This includes injecting smart city initiatives to turn Ampang into a digital city, creating spaces for work, stay, and play, and protecting greenery within its area.
MPAJ aims to increase commercial land from 297.37 hectares to 356.92 hectares, and industrial land from 85.79 hectares to 95.23 hectares by 2035. The local council also anticipates that the population will increase from 668,233 today, to 803,825 by 2035. This means more houses need to be built – 261,680 units to be exact – according to the target set by MPAJ.
It also aims to preserve a minimum of 50 per cent of forested areas by 2035.
Zuraina also said there were plans in the draft to rejuvenate Pekan Ampang.
“It has historical significance and the buildings that still have the old facade should be maintained, so that history is preserved,” she added.
