29 May, 2008
BASICALLY, nothing has changed. Instead, it may have become worse. When people protested the composition of the 21-member Public Opinion Hearing Committee (POHC) for the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, City Hall was very accommodating.
First, the proposed chairman, Datuk Esa Mohamad, an architect and town planner, declined the position. It was his company, Arkitek Jururancang (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, which played a major role in drafting the plan.
Secondly, the POHC comprised mainly of City Hall’s advisory board members, former directors and heads of department.
It was ludicrous, the people said. They insisted POHC should be made up of independent members.
Yesterday, Mayor Datuk Ab Hakim Borhan did just that.
He replaced the panel with members from NGOs, professional bodies, academicians and other relevant parties.
So, what will become of the original POHC members, almost all of whom were the mayor’s people? “They will sit with me,” said Ab Borhan.
“They will join me in the scrutiny stage.” Therein lies the problem.
The very members the people were against because they would be biased have been elevated into a more prominent, decision-making position.
“Is this right?” asked a bewildered Peter Raiappan, secretary of Medan Damansara Residents Association.
“Looks like we’re back to square one, maybe worse. Are these people serious about handling this matter rationally? “They have elevated the advisory board members to the decision-making level and these are people who would have vested interest in the plan.” Datuk George Joseph, who is president of the Bangsar Baru Residents’ Association, said the decision-making committee should consist of neutral members and finds it hard to accept what has happened.
“Although we now have neutral members at the hearing stage, those scrutinising suggestions made at that stage would not be completely neutral,” said George.
PEARL LEE
- The Malay Mail
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