Kuala Lumpur imposes 300m buffer zone near Bukit Kiara park development

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has set a 300-metre buffer zone around a proposed high-rise development near Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara. The decision follows months of opposition from local residents concerned about traffic, biodiversity, and the park’s natural ecosystem.

The announcement was made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh after ongoing negotiations and public pressure. Residents in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) first raised objections against the plan for two 30-storey condominiums next to the park. They argued the project would disrupt wildlife, increase congestion, and harm the area’s green spaces. In response, Friends of Bukit Kiara (FoBK) took legal action, filing a judicial review in August 2022 to block City Hall from approving the development.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court granted leave for the review the following month. Meanwhile, the project remained in limbo, with no development order issued to the developer. An environmental impact assessment is still underway as part of the approval process.

On April 12, a town hall session launched a petition calling for an even larger buffer zone—between 300 and 500 metres. The move reflected growing demands for stronger protections around the recreational park. The 300-metre buffer zone now stands as a compromise between development plans and community concerns. While negotiations continue, the project remains stalled pending further assessments. Residents and environmental groups are still pushing for stricter measures to safeguard the park and its surroundings.