SHAH ALAM, April 25 — The state government, through the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), has stressed that land in the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve in Puchong is unsafe for development, whether for commercial or residential purposes.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the decision was made because the area falls within Class Three and Class Four slope topography, as affirmed by the Federal Court.
During a meeting with representatives of residents’ associations, the state government’s position on the issue was explained, and three unfounded allegations circulated for political purposes were addressed.
“First, the 168-acre land referred to is not part of a Permanent Forest Reserve, as it was de-gazetted in 1926, 100 years ago.
“Second, with regard to development, this administration has never approved any development in the area. Instead, in 1996, the then-state government approved the alienation of 168 acres of state land to two companies.
"However, the developer’s planning permission application was rejected by MPSJ in 2003 because 75 per cent of the area was classified as Class Three and Class Four slopes; slopes exceeding 25 degrees and unsuitable for development.
“Subsequently, on August 18, 2010, the state government decided to cancel the project and revoke the land alienation. Following this, the developer filed legal action against MPSJ and the state government, but the court ruled in favour of MPSJ,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said the third issue involved allegations that the land was sold below market value, at RM13.80 per square foot, equivalent to RM101 million.
He added that after the decision to cancel the housing project in 2012, there were proposals to sell the land via open tender.
“A property consultant was appointed to conduct a valuation, and the final value determined was RM13.02 per square foot, or RM95.3 million in total.
“Three companies participated in the open tender process, and a decision was made to sell the land at RM101 million, which is 5.90 per cent above the valuation price.
“Therefore, only a deposit was paid during the court process, while the full payment was settled in stages up to 2020, based on the 2012 Sale and Purchase Agreement,” Amirudin said, following a visit from residents’ representatives and 14 residents’ associations in Puchong yesterday to obtain clarification on the land status, with Kinrara state assemblyman Ng Sze Han in attendance.
Meanwhile, the Menteri Besar said residents had proposed that hiking trails to the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve be maintained for the benefit of the hiking community in Puchong.
“This request will be brought to the State Executive Council meeting and discussed with the landowner to ensure that the recreational needs of the local community continue to be preserved,” he said.
On November 22 last year, a news portal reported objections from more than 700 Puchong residents regarding a proposed development project near the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, involving approximately 68.411 hectares of land.
They expressed concerns over potential traffic congestion, environmental risks, and the loss of green spaces in Puchong, which is becoming increasingly densely developed.
