IJM Launches Luxury Bungalows

Alvarez bungalows are priced from RM3mil and boast of a view over Ayer Hitam forest reserve.

IJM Land recently launched the fifth phase of its Laman Granview development in Saujana Puchong. Named Alvarez, this phase comprises 27 bungalows due to be completed by October. The launch was held together with the opening ceremony of Laman Granview’s clubhouse which is named Cresta.

With its own lift, one floor dedicated to the master suite and a density of five units per acre, these bungalows are certainly luxurious.

Each 3.5-storey home is priced from RM3mil. Built-up areas range from 5,602 to 5,483 sq ft and offer five bedrooms, seven bathrooms and one utility room; the lowest level may be converted into a multifunction room or used as a guest room.

The Alvarez bungalows come with individual titles (not landed strata titles) which are leasehold for 99 years (expiring in 2110).

Laman Granview is a guarded enclave with 24-hour security surveillance. It is located on elevated ground, 450 ft above sea level (Damansara Foresta in Bandar Sri Damansara, to compare, is located 590 ft above sea level), next to the Ayer Hitam forest reserve.

“Many homeowners in the Klang Valley who have long trusted IJM’s quality homes are looking to upgrade their homes now that their family sizes and income levels are growing and they are now looking after their elderly parents,” said IJM Land general manager for the central region.

At the launch, a number of bookings were made and several potential buyers showed strong interest in the houses, added a spokesperson.

Cresta features an infinity swimming pool, wading pool, cafeteria, gymnasium, sauna, and multipurpose hall.

Source: The Star Property

Gazette Forest Reserve And Settle Court Case

A group called the Signature Campaign Teamwork (SCT) wants legal steps taken to safeguard the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, following the Selangor state government’s promise not to develop the forest reserve.

Selangor Tourism, Consumer and Environment Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong had announced the state government’s decision to abort a proposed cemetery project in the forest reserve at a New Year celebration in Puchong on Jan 9.

“For the issue to be resolved, the state government has to permanently gazette the site as a forest reserve, and get their lawyers to inform the Shah Alam High Court to reach an out of court settlement with regards to the case,” said SCT secretary Ng Chee Kwong.

The SCT had applied for a judicial review on the proposed cemetery project at the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve.

The case is fixed for mention on March 16 at the Shah Alam High Court.

The state government and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) have been named as the respondents.

“Our lawyers told us that their lawyers have to inform the judge that the project has been cancelled and get the court to record the case; otherwise it would be considered as contempt of court,” said Ng.

“The forest reserve also has to be regazetted, because there is a risk that the project will be revived if it is not.

“We want a legal solution to safeguard the forest reserve and residents, as a political announcement does not mean anything.”

Although the SCT had received an invitation to attend the celebration, Ng said they did not send any representatives as they did not know who had sent the invitation and that no definitive solution had been issued.

“We are giving the state government a March 16 deadline to gazette the forest reserve and settle the court case,” he said.

Ng said the SCT was also against the conditional agreement mentioned by the Selangor Mentri Besar that the state government could only regazette the forest reserve when another suitable site for the cemetery was identified.

The SCT comprises representatives from Saujana Puchong, Mutiara Indah, Bandar Bukit Puchong, Gateway Puchong and Lestari Puchong.

According to the SCT members, there are more than 10,000 houses in the five housing areas.

They are against the cemetery project due to its proximity to their homes and to ensure that the forest reserve remains as it is to preserve the environment.

Ng said the proposed cemetery project covers 150 acres but it was initially stated at 55.

The forest reserve originally spanned some 4,270ha but it was degazetted over a variety of land uses over the years.

As of February 2009, 1,217ha had been gazetted by the Selangor government as an education and research forest.

Source: The Star

Selangor Aborts Cemetery Project

Puchong residents received a New Year gift from the Selangor state government in the form of a promise not to develop the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve.

In a New Year celebration in Puchong on Saturday morning, Selangor Tourism, Consumer and Environment Committee chairman Elizabeth Wong announced the state’s decision to abort the proposed cemetery project in the forest reserve.

Since April 2004, the residents had been fighting for the project to be scrapped so that the forest would remain a green lung.

In 2008, more than 1,500 residents from Saujana Puchong, Lestari Puchong, Bandar Bukit Puchong, Gateway Puchong and Mutiara Indah submitted a petition, protesting against the development, to the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ).

 

Wong described the state’s decision as a victory for the people.

“The forest reserve is rich with flora and fauna and thus should not be developed,” Wong said.

The forest is believed to have been settled by the Temuan orang asli tribe 400 years ago, and they are now living in two villages nearby.

Orginally, the forest spanned some 4,270ha, but it was degazetted for a variety of land uses over the years.

As of February 2009, 1,217ha had been gazetted by the Selangor government as an education and research forest.

Under the jurisdiction of the Selangor Forestry Department, the forest is on an 80-year lease, dating from 1996, to Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Wong said the forest reserve was exclusively for scientific research and not open to the public, except with permission from the forestry department.

Nonetheless, following the residents’ demand, the state government is now looking at degazetting a part of the forest reserve for a recreational forest.

“If possible, the site should be a degraded forest.

“We’ll probably cut some trails and make it into a site like Bukit Gasing.

“But we are not going to chop down trees for this, so as not to defeat the whole purpose,” Wong said.

The orang asli, who have vast knowledge of the forest, would be invited to be part of this plan by working as guides or guardians.

Wong added that the effort in retaining the forest reserve was in line with the United Nations’ International Year of Biodiversity, which was launched on Monday in Berlin, Germany.

“It is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity in our lives.

“We will do more this year to avert the crisis,” Wong said.

Meanwhile, the state government, through the state planners, is looking for a more suitable site for the cemetery project.

Source: The Star