The real value in public hearings
From Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad
The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has adopted the position that there is no longer a general need for public hearings.
Public hearings will be limited to select development projects.
Nevertheless, it is important to defend the space of the public to give feedback on development projects, to ensure that they are truly sustainable and meet the actual needs of the community.
The legal position outlined above, unfortunately, misses an important point: local plans, no matter how carefully drafted, cannot possibly cover every single detail or contingency on the ground.
At best, they only provide general guidelines and maximum limits under ideal conditions.
Development projects still need a reasonable amount of careful, inclusive scrutiny to effectively measure the impact on surrounding communities.
Considering previous issues such as the Bukit Kiara controversy and the ongoing debate over the Urban Renewal Act, it is important for DBKL to adopt and hold itself…
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