BENTONG: Villagers in Janda Baik near Bukit Tinggi here have raised concerns over proposals under the Bentong District Local Plan (RTD) and Janda Baik Special Area Plan(RKK) drafts, which are expected to transform the traditional Malay settlement into a bustling area.
They are seeking for a dialogue session with the state government and Bentong Municipal Council (MPB) to enlighten them with in-depth details about the proposed projects at the settlement which will transform the landscape if it receives the go-ahead.
Today, over 50 villagers, including retirees, gathered at the Riverside chalet in Janda Baik here where they held a press conference after an earlier scheduled public hearing on the RTD and RKK by the Bentong Municipal Council was cancelled.
Army pensioner Husin Nordin, who was born and raised here, described Janda Baik as a laid-back traditional village surrounded by lush greenery with a cool climate. The 70-year-old said proposals in the RTD and RKK drafts to turn Janda Baik into an international ecotourism attraction had not gone down well with the villagers.
"Looking at the proposed draft, Janda Baik, which is strategically located near Kuala Lumpur, will become modern and busy. All the traditional elements will be gone and replaced with a fast-paced town.
"The villagers in Janda Baik are not against development, but we want to grow as a traditional village. All the development projects here have to be done according to the needs and landscape of the area, and the area must not be over-developed," he said.
Husin said the villagers in Janda Baik should not be seen as being hostile when they raised their concerns on the local plan drafts. Instead, they want the authorities to provide explanations on the proposed ideas for the area and how the people would benefit.
Hussin Yusoff, 70, said he owned 1.6ha of land where he operates a holiday resort near Sungai Benus, which has 44 chalet units.
"According to the draft proposal, all my land will be gone to make way for the river-widening project. I was never informed about the draft plan and only knew about it through a third party. The land belongs to my in-laws, and this is the only piece of land I have here.
"I am not sure what will happen if this draft plan becomes a reality...just like the others here, I hope the RTD and RKK will be cancelled, so that the people here can live in peace," said the retired teacher.
Housewife Kasimah Ismail, 50, said the projects listed under the draft plans include widening the narrow roads in the settlement, expansion of four rivers, building e-hailing stations and a recreational park.
She pleaded with the state government to spare their lands and to immediately hold a meeting with the villagers to help clear the air on the proposed projects.
"We first heard about the RTD and RKK in 2019, and some of us managed to read the proposals listed in the drafts, but till today none of us are clear about the projects. We are seeking a dialogue session with the state government and MPB," she said.