KUALA LUMPUR – Residents of Bukit Damansara say they are not against development, but warn that the proposed 1:9.6 plot-ratio redevelopment of Wisma Damansara is excessively dense and could worsen the area’s already severe traffic congestion.
Former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said residents only object to projects that fail to account for the capacity of existing infrastructure, particularly along critical routes such as Jalan Semantan, a key artery connecting Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
“We, the residents of Bukit Damansara, have never objected to development. Many projects have gone ahead here.
“We previously raised objections to the Pavilion project because we were concerned the infrastructure and roads would not be able to cope with the congestion new large-scale developments bring,” he said.
Khairy, who is also a resident of the area, spoke after attending the Bukit Damansara Residents’ Engagement Session with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) at the Bukit Damansara Community Centre today.
Also present were Bukit Damansara Residents Association chairman Datuk Ahmad Suffian Abdul Majid; Setia Kasih Bukit Damansara Residents Association president Zuhairah Ali; and former MITI Industrial Division assistant director Datuk Bhupat Rai Premji.
Khairy noted that plans to build two 60-storey towers on the Wisma Damansara site were a major concern, given that Jalan Semantan is heavily used not only by local residents but also by thousands commuting daily between KL and PJ.
“Jalan Semantan is part of a primary road network linking KL and PJ. Many who work in PJ use this route from KL, and vice versa.
“We showed a video illustrating the congestion happening right now. If this project proceeds with the proposed density — a plot ratio of 1:9.6 — we are certain Jalan Semantan will no longer be comfortably usable,” he said.
He added that traffic conditions along the route were already stretched, and any large-scale development would only worsen the situation, equivalent to adding about 80 per cent of KLCC’s floor area, as presented during the session.
“That is the issue. We are not rejecting development, but we oppose this proposal because it is simply too dense and far too massive,” he said.
The dialogue session between residents and DBKL provided a platform for formal objections and for residents to seek further clarification on the project’s impact on traffic flow, infrastructure capacity and neighbourhood safety.
Meanwhile, DBKL executive director (town planning) Md Nazri Abdullah said he would raise the matter with the newly appointed Kuala Lumpur Mayor, Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud, for further discussion.
“We appreciate the feedback shared by the residents today. Their concerns are valid and will be brought to the Mayor for review,” he said.
“DBKL will study the points raised, hold further internal discussions, and provide updates to the community in the coming weeks.” – November 14, 2025