KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 3 — Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin is leading a community protest to “save” Bukit Damansara from the proposed redevelopment of the iconic Wisma Damansara into two 60-storey towers.
Khairy, a resident of the area, said the scale of the proposed development was entirely unsuitable for the largely residential neighbourhood and would exacerbate existing traffic and density issues.
“Enough with this. Our neighbourhood is not the place for mega towers… this is our home, for our families, children, and community living,” he said in a video posted on Instagram, announcing a planned protest along Jalan Semantan at 9am tomorrow.
Residents’ objections centre on the project’s proposed plot ratio of 1:9.6, which they claim exceeds the 1:6 limit stipulated in the draft Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 for the area.
They fear the high density will lead to severe, long-term traffic congestion on major arteries like Jalan Semantan and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim.
Over 300 households in Bukit Damansara have already submitted official letters of objection to the project.
The redevelopment is being proposed by BRDB Developments, which acquired the land in March this year.
The company and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) have defended the project, stating that it complies with the local plan and includes redevelopment incentives.
Built in 1970, Wisma Damansara is recognised as the first commercial office building in Damansara Heights. The public consultation period for the redevelopment ended in mid-August, and DBKL is still reviewing the application along with all feedback received.
