KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — The High Court’s decision to grant leave to 12 Ampang Jaya residents to initiate judicial review proceedings challenging the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council Local Plan 2035 (RT MPAJ 2035) marked a significant step forward for local community rights.

In a statement, residents’ action group TOLAK RT2035 claimed that the local plan, gazetted on Feb 6, 2025, contained fundamental flaws and unpublicised land-use conversions.

They further claimed that the local plan did not incorporate the objections raised during the 2022 public objection hearing.

It said the court allowed the leave application, filed in May last year, after finding that the challenge raised arguable questions of law and fact warranting a full judicial hearing.

“We believe that the local plan currently permits high-intensity developments in environmentally sensitive areas on hilltops and hillslopes, and established disaster-risk zones.

“Unsustainable developments threaten terrain stability, escalate risks of severe landslides and flash flooding, and destroy the remaining natural environment,” the group said.

TOLAK RT2035 identified Bukit Antarabangsa, Taman Hillview, Ukay Perdana, Taman Melawati, Kemensah, and Taman Ukay Heights among high-risk zones facing pressure from proposed intensive and mega developments.

According to the statement, leaving the plan unchallenged would erode the public’s statutory right to object to future projects under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

The hearing for the substantive judicial review application has been set for Nov 25. — Bernama