KLCP 2020 draft not on public display as it has been implemented, says FT minister

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 1): Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad today clarified that the Kuala Lumpur City Plan (KLCP) 2020 was gazetted without first being put on public display because the plan had already been implemented during the period of 2015-2020.

Speaking to reporters at the parliament lobby today, Khalid said gazetting the plan is somewhat different from the typical process, as it has been planned in the past and is no longer in the form of a draft.

"In this case, as I took over [as Federal Minister] in such a situation, I was gazetting something that was in the past, because it was a plan that was set up in 2015 so it was something that had happened," he said.

"If I did, I would have put on display something that is in the past. Then there will be so much discussion about it, and finally there is no point gazetting it as this is already towards the end of 2018. By the time we get through it all, it will be 2020 anyway, so there is no point in that.

"So for me to show it to the public and ask for comments and suggestions is not a logical action, as those things have happened," Khalid added.

On Tuesday, the KLCP 2020 was officially gazetted by the Attorney-General's Chambers after the draft was launched in 2008 and finalised in 2012, but was never gazetted by the previous administration.

This has angered the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Save Kuala Lumpur (SKL), which has demanded to look at the draft before it was gazetted.

However, Khalid pointed out that no promises were made to put the draft on public display before gazetting it. The Shah Alam MP said he has met with SKL several times, but never promised to make the plan public.

"I have to clarify that they (SKL) have indeed came to the ministry's office and I have met them about two, three months ago. They have requested that before the plan is gazetted, let it be displayed first so that they can give their inputs and comments.

"I have said that I will consider their request but as far as I can remember I did not promise that I would do so," Khalid stressed.

Khalid said he will highlight a list of violations that were made from 2015 until now, which has breached the KLCP 2020 although it was not gazetted.

"We will include an addendum that shows there were about 70 violations that have occurred from 2015 to 2018. This will facilitate the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) to investigate as we have given them basic information (on the violations)," he said. — theedgemarkets.com

Click here for more property stories.