Why were flood retention ponds in KL never formally gazetted for decades?

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Flood Retention Ponds in KL Remained Ungazetted for Decades Due to Revoked Approvals and Alienation to Developers

Flood retention sites in Kuala Lumpur, including those in Jinjang and Batu, were not formally gazetted for nearly two decades because their initial protection approvals from 1998 were revoked in 2015. This revocation allowed approximately 80 acres of this crucial land to be alienated to private developers for mixed-use residential projects. The lack of formal gazetting meant the land's status remained undefined for an extended period, creating an opportunity for its reallocation.
Revocation of Protection Approvals

In 2015, a land working committee made a significant decision to revoke the protection approvals that had been granted in 1998 for several key flood mitigation sites. These sites, identified by a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation, were intended to serve as flood retention areas within the capital. The act of revoking these approvals fundamentally altered the legal status of the land, paving the way for subsequent actions.
Alienation to Private Developers

Following the revocation of the 1998 approvals, approximately 80 acres of land designated for flood retention was subsequently alienated to private developers. This land was earmarked for the development of mixed-use residential projects, indicating a shift in land use priorities away from flood mitigation and public interest. The alienation process transferred ownership or development rights to private entities, effectively removing the land from its original intended purpose.
Extended Period of Ungazetted Status

The land in question remained ungazetted for a substantial period, spanning nearly two decades from the initial approval in 1998 until the revocation and alienation in 2015. Generally, the gazetting process is a formal administrative procedure that legally designates land for a specific purpose, such as public amenities or environmental protection. The prolonged absence of this formal designation created a vulnerability, allowing for the land's status to be altered and its purpose changed.

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Why were flood retention ponds in KL never formally gazetted for decades?

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