Kota Kinabalu: Shoplot owners, tenants and business operators in Manggatal New Township called on City Hall (DBKK) to disclose fully the approval and planning process for a proposed redevelopment “that could affect parking spaces, pedestrian access, roads, drainage and other essential infrastructure” in the township.
Led by spokesperson Michael Wong and represented by legal adviser Chong Kian Meng, the group said it was not opposed to legitimate development but that any project affecting the township must be properly assessed, transparently communicated and implemented with due regard to public safety, accessibility and the interests of existing property owners, tenants and businesses.
They sought clear and verifiable information from DBKK on how the proposed redevelopment was authorised, the legal and planning provisions involved, government agencies that have granted approvals, permits or consents and those still pending, as well as the current status of all planning and development approvals.
The group also wants details of planning, technical and engineering assessments conducted before approval, whether affected stakeholders were consulted, conditions attached to approvals and whether any technical clearances or requirements remain outstanding.
They requested access to relevant project documents, including site and layout plans, development plans, traffic assessments, flood-risk and drainage studies, utility plans, construction schedules and methods, environmental safeguards, piling methods and emergency-access arrangements.
Wong contends the proposed changes could directly affect daily business operations, particularly in terms of customer accessibility, deliveries, employees and general access, while construction could also cause noise, dust, vibration, traffic congestion and other disruptions.
He said such impacts should not simply be presumed to be manageable, but identified, assessed and quantified, with appropriate mitigation measures established before major construction works begin. “We are not opposed to development. We want transparency, proper assessment and assurances that the rights and livelihoods of the Manggatal community will not be prejudiced,” he said.
The group is also requesting that an independent multidisciplinary professional team be appointed to comprehensively assess the proposed development, including drainage capacity and flood risk, traffic and road capacity, parking adequacy, pedestrian safety, emergency access, construction disruption, structural risks to existing shoplots, piling and vibration effects, utilities, environmental impacts and the overall effect on business continuity and residents’ daily lives.
It further called for a formal consultation involving DBKK, the developer, affected shoplot owners, tenants, business operators and relevant technical professionals.
The group wants stakeholders to be allowed to review development plans, receive explanations, submit technical information and raise concerns, with formal minutes recorded and circulated to the relevant parties.
Pending full disclosure, independent technical assessments and formal consultation, the group urged DBKK to defer any irreversible changes involving existing parking areas, pedestrian spaces, roads, drainage systems or other essential public infrastructure.
It has also requested a written response from DBKK covering the redevelopment’s current status and legal basis, approvals obtained and pending, agencies involved, proposed infrastructure changes, assessments conducted, mitigation measures and whether an independent assessment and formal stakeholder consultation will be organised.
The shoplot owners, tenants and business operators hoped DBKK and the relevant authorities would engage constructively with the affected community, with the objective of ensuring that any redevelopment in Manggatal New Township is carried out transparently, based on sound technical assessments and with due consideration for public safety, accessibility, existing property owners, tenants, business operators and the long-term functioning of the township.