CITY Hall’s (DBKL) method of obtaining feedback on the KL Structure Plan 2040 lacks transparency and meaningful public engagement, the Save Kuala Lumpur Coalition (SKL) said.

The group of KL residents pushing for sustainable growth and development also questioned its sincerity in inviting the public to comment on the plan when the report was full of technical details that the laymen could not understand.

“They (DBKL) should have town hall sessions and briefings of the structure plan as many are not aware about it. 

“Rather than holding kenduri rakyat (public feasts), they should focus more on engagement with the people,” SKL deputy chairman Mumtaz Ali told The Malaysian Insight.  

The Federal Territories Ministry has called on the public to contribute ideas and feedback on the structure plan. 

The plan, launched on Tuesday, comprises the vision, objectives and strategic directions to guide the development of Kuala Lumpur for the next 20 years.

Minister Khalid Samad said the public could view the plan on February 18 to March 18 at Menara DBKL 1.

But Mumtaz said it was unrealistic to expect the public to understand a technical document without a briefing.

“How then is the public to provide proper feedback?

“Even if we purchase the structure plan, there are some things that are difficult for us to comprehend.

“Without engaging or liaising with town planners or professionals in the field, we are lost. We can only understand it with their help.”

Mumtaz also pointed out that the structure plan and the KL City Plan were two different documents. 

“In the city plan, we can see plot ratios, density and land use whereas here the structure plan is a frame, an outline of what KL is going to be. 

“That’s why it is crucial that this is all explained to city folk, if City Hall is sincere about getting feedback from the people.”

Barriers to feedback

Mumtaz also complained about the time frame for the plan’s public display and response.

He said the period for display, which is held at seven areas, and feedback is too short for laymen to understand the plan and give their views. 

It is displayed for more than a month at Menara DBKL1, but only for a week or less in elsewhere in the city.

“Why is the exhibition held for such a limited time in these areas?”

Another issue is the price of a copy of the plan for a more thorough study.

“They are charging RM150 for the hard copy, which is fine. But if one wants to view it online, one has to pay RM100.”

Mumtaz said the plan should be put up online for free.

“We are disappointed in DBKL and its lack of urgency in disseminating the information to the public,” he said.

He urged the federal territory’s 11 parliamentarians to organise sessions with DBKL in their respective constituencies to explain the structure plan to the people.

“As elected representatives they should get DBKL to go to their localities,” he said.

Guide to understanding

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil agreed, saying it is crucial that DBKL officers are available at the display centres to brief the public on the plan.

“This document will be very familiar to urban planners, but for ordinary people, we wonder what this document is for.  

“Even I was only recently aware of the difference between the structure and city plan. 

“There needs to be a greater awareness campaign to explain the structure plan,” Fahmi told The Malaysian Insight.

The PKR lawmaker said he has spoken to DBKL’s Planning Department, advising it to hold a communications campaign.

“This is to explain what exactly is the structure plan and how we should read this document. It is quite a large document with many different sections.

“I believe KL folk who want to participate in this process will need guidance to understand the document 

“It will be difficult for any layman to understand the document if they are not guided.”

Fahmi also explained the difference between the structure plan and city plan. 

“The structure plan is the philosophy for development, the principles and concepts of DBKL in terms of urban planning which they will execute. 

“This will include things such as reduce carbon emissions and transit-oriented development. 

“Whereas the city plan, which people are often very concerned about, involves the plot ratio, density, zoning and specific land use in their neighbourhood. 

“City folk must be informed about the difference.” – February 22, 2020.