MUDA Selangor has raised concerns over the handling of proposed amendments to the Petaling Jaya Local Plan (RTPJ), accusing the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and the Selangor government of failing to adequately engage the public on a development blueprint that will shape the city’s future.
In a statement on Friday, MUDA Selangor coordinator Abolqaz Anuar said the RTPJ is a critical planning document that will determine key aspects of urban development in Petaling Jaya, including housing density, commercial projects, traffic management, public transportation, green spaces and the overall quality of life for more than 800,000 residents.
However, he claimed the review process was being conducted with insufficient public awareness, despite its far-reaching implications.
Under Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, members of the public were given an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed amendments. According to MUDA, only 387 residents submitted responses during the consultation period.
The party described the figure as alarmingly low and argued that it reflected a failure by MBPJ, the mayor and city councillors to effectively inform residents about the proposed changes.
“How can a development plan that affects hundreds of thousands of residents go through a public consultation process without the knowledge of the majority of the people?” Abolqaz said.
“This is not evidence that residents agree with the plan. It is evidence that they were not properly informed.”
MUDA said many Petaling Jaya residents were likely unaware that significant changes were being proposed for the city and that they had the right to participate in the planning process.
The party urged residents to take part in the next stage of consultation under Section 13 of the Town and Country Planning Act, which allows members of the public to submit objections and representations regarding the draft local plan.
Describing the process as an opportunity for residents to defend the future of their city, MUDA warned that decisions made now could have long-term consequences on traffic congestion, development density, green space preservation and infrastructure capacity.
The party also outlined three demands to MBPJ and the Selangor government.
First, it called for the objection period under Section 13 to be extended from eight weeks to 10 weeks to provide residents with sufficient time to review the RTPJ documents and prepare their feedback.
Second, MUDA urged MBPJ’s Development Planning Department to actively engage communities by conducting comprehensive public briefings across all zones to explain the proposed amendments, the rationale behind them and their potential impact on local neighbourhoods.
Third, it called on the Mayor of Petaling Jaya to direct all 24 MBPJ councillors to hold engagement sessions with residents in their respective areas to ensure the public is fully informed and able to provide meaningful feedback.
MUDA stressed that urban planning decisions should not be made behind closed doors by bureaucrats and political elites without genuine public participation.
“A modern and progressive city must be built on transparency, public consultation and democratic accountability,” the party said.
MUDA Selangor pledged to continue advocating for residents’ participation in the planning process and to ensure that the voices of Petaling Jaya residents are heard in decisions affecting the city’s future.
