IN February, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) sought public input on the draft KL Structure Plan 2040 (KLSP2040). Due to requests from stakeholders, the submission deadline was extended from March to April and to May 18.

Since it is a policy document, DBKL should know the importance and the need to have proper and quality feedback. Further, it incorporated the Kuala Lumpur City Plan (KLCP2020) that was gazetted by the former federal territories minister despite having about 273 addenda not conforming to the draft version with public input.

And due to the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, public gatherings are prevented and it makes it difficult to meet. Even the Parliament sitting on May 18 was limited.

Granted, there will be a hearing by experts on urban planning later but what is key are the official feedback. The planning includes a local plan to be produced once KLSP2040 is gazetted, and exhibited for public viewing for a month and a half to gather feedback. Again this is insufficient unless DBKL thinks that it can produce a plan that fits all, now and in the future.

On the very first day of viewing, the lack of planning was apparent when DBKL staff at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) library were not aware and the counter to view the draft was not set up.

Another point is for DBKL to not be intimidated by any politician. Politicians come and go, even the previous minister was there for fewer than two years.

Public feedback is more important than those from politicians. It is the public that put them there. Therefore, please digest carefully all the feedback and provide more time for viewing on the draft local plan once it is available.

Front-liners for Covid-19 have shown they are world class and I trust staff at DBKL would like to emulate that and have first-class thinking to plan for a future Kuala Lumpur that is second to none.

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

What say you?

Selamat Hari Raya to all, especially KLites. – May 22, 2020.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.