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The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
KL folk fear green spaces going down the drain
ONCE crucial to Kuala Lumpur's sanitation system, decommissioned sewage treatment plant (STP) sites across the city are slowly being turned into prime real estate for profit. Previously operated by Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) to process sewage from surrounding areas, these sites lie vacant after being replaced by centralised systems. Now fenced off and lying idle, many are lucrative plots targeted for redevelopment. According to the newly gazetted Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (KLLP2040), there are 60 STP sites across the city. While city dwellers have hoped these unutilised plots would be preserved as green lungs in the urban sprawl, only 10, or 17% have been designated for public open spaces such as pocket parks and urban farms. Evelyne (left) and Joshua looking at the number of STPs rezoned for commercial projects in KLLP2040. In contrast, 32 sites (53%) are earmarked for commercial and residential development, including food courts, carparks and high-rises. During the public objection period for the draft KLLP2040 last year, concerns were raised that many STP sites in residential areas had been 'discreetly' rezoned for commercial use. In areas such as Taman Gembira (Happy Garden) and Taman Bukit Indah off Jalan Kelang Lama, residents discovered that almost 10 STPs in their neighbourhoods had been rezoned. 'We were shocked when we saw the draft plan. Some of these STP plots are pretty big and are perfect for public parks which residents desperately need, but they are also a developer's dream,' said Happy Garden and Continental Park Residents Association secretary Evelyne Low. She said several decommissioned sites were located in Happy Garden, Taman United, Taman Overseas United (OUG) and Taman Bukit Indah along roads such as Jalan Nyaman, Jalan Jiran and Jalan Lazat. Evelyne said the association submitted 20 objections to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on the proposed rezonings, but only two were partially accepted in the final plan which was gazetted on May 28 and came into effect this year on June 11. Jalan Mega Mendung is often congested due to double-parking. The revised plan to build a two-storey hawker centre at the former STP here in Taman United has raised concerns about parking and waste disposal. Breathing space please Stakeholders are hoping for some of these former IWK sites to be preserved as green pockets, offering respite in a dense and fast-developing city where open spaces are dwindling. According to the KLLP2040, about 18 plots of land off Jalan Kelang Lama, mostly former sewage treatment facilities, have been converted from 'infrastructure and utility' use to 'commercial zoning'. Four others have been reclassified for low-density residential (R1), while the remaining 12 lots around Jalan Nyaman fall under 'established housing' (EH) category. 'At Jalan Nyaman 5 and 6, Lots 18188, 18189, and 18190 are combined for a low-density housing project following a Rule 7 notice issued last year,' said Evelyne. Rule 7 of the Federal Territory Planning Act 1982 covers the public participation process requiring landowners to be given notice for objection to any new development in their neighbourhood. Evelyne added that the established housing category limits developments to two or three storeys to preserve the character of stable residential areas. 'Anything above that, such as R2, R3, or R4 zoning follows a plot ratio system – allowing for higher-density projects like commercial developments.' A plot ratio is the ratio between a building's total floor area and size of land it occupies. A 1:4 ratio, for example, could permit buildings of 20 to 30 storeys, depending on design and layout. A sign marking this overgrown plot in Happy Garden, off Jalan Kelang Lama, as federal land which has been leased to a private company. Rezoning without liveability Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association honorary secretary Joshua Low said the group had submitted formal feedback to DBKL last year. The association, he said, strongly objected to the rezoning of some lots into one commercial plot with a high 1:6 ratio. 'Originally, the STP plot was categorised as 'infrastructure and utility – water supply', but in the draft, it was redesignated to 'main commercial'. 'We argued that it should instead have been reclassified as public or private open space. 'Jalan Kelang Lama is under severe traffic strain; it simply cannot absorb more development,' said Joshua. He added that under KLLP2040, any new development should consider location, infrastructure capacity, site conditions, and compatibility with existing land use. 'When we brought this up with DBKL planners during the open day in May, we were told the site would be limited to low-density, three-storey bungalows. 'How can we accept vague verbal assurances?' asked Joshua. In May, DBKL held an open day to show the public the revised version of KLLP 2040. Evelyne and Joshua expressed disappointment that only two of the 20 objections they submitted, last year, were partially taken into account in the final plan. Why another food court? Alvin says the former STP plot at Jalan Mega Mendung is too small for a two-storey food court. One of the more questionable cases involves Lot 19542, a narrow plot sitting along the Jalan Mega Mendung commercial area in Taman United, Kuala Lumpur. Initially proposed for a four-storey commercial block, it has since been revised to accommodate a two-storey hawker centre. 'The site is only 0.07ha. It's too small, and yet, a two-storey food court is being squeezed into the site. It's unrealistic and shows no regard for proper planning,'' said Seputeh Residents Representative Council chairman Alvin T. Ariaratnam. 'Where are people supposed to park? Where will the waste go? 'A hawker centre needs space for ventilation, rubbish collection, and customer flow, not to mention loading and unloading. It's just not practical.'' He said the area was already congested and prone to double- parking. 'This area has numerous eateries and a DBKL-run food court is just three minutes away,' he said. Tan says remaining open plots from former STP sites are some of the last few green spaces left in KL's older neighbourhoods. Alvin added that roads like Jalan Mega Mendung, Jalan Sepakat, and Jalan Sepadu were struggling under the weight of traffic from unchecked development. Urban green lifeline Federal Territory MCA deputy chairman Tan Kok Eng said the remaining open plots from former STP sites were some of the last few green spaces left in Kuala Lumpur's older neighbourhoods. 'In a city that's growing taller and denser by the day, green lungs are not a luxury, they're a lifeline,' he said. 'Once these spaces are gone, they're gone for good. We don't need more concrete towers choking our streets. 'We need places where children can play, the elderly can stroll, and communities can reconnect. 'If DBKL is serious about making Kuala Lumpur liveable, then these sites must be preserved for the public, not handed over for profit.' Salak South Village MCA branch deputy chairman Banie Chin did not hide his frustration. 'We had no idea these old sewage plant sites were being taken over. 'There was one in Seri Petaling, and now its being used for a condominium project. 'Nobody asks the residents anything, but we're the ones stuck with the noise, traffic jams, and overcrowding. 'People like to talk about mental health and community wellbeing, but how are we supposed to have a liveable city when every bit of open space gets turned into concrete?' Chin said.
Rakyat Post
25-06-2025
- General
- Rakyat Post
The Truth About Malaysia's Sewerage Charges
Subscribe to our FREE Ever wondered where your wastewater goes after you flush or wash up? While it vanishes from sight, managing it is no small feat – and in Malaysia, Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) is the national company keeping things clean behind the scenes. But what exactly are you paying for when that sewerage bill arrives? Two Types of Systems, Two Kinds of Bills (IWK) (IWK) Malaysia has two main sewerage setups: Connected Sewerage Systems : Homes linked to IWK's underground network send wastewater straight to regional treatment plants. These households are billed every six months for collection, treatment, and maintenance. Septic Tanks (Individual or Communal) : Homes not connected to the main system rely on tanks that need desludging about once every two years . These aren't billed regularly – only when the service is requested, with a one-time fee charged for each desludging. What Your Bill Covers (IWK) For connected systems, your payment supports: 9,133 treatment plants and pumping stations Around 22,000 km of sewerage pipelines A Connected Population Equivalent (cPE) of 32 million 24/7 monitoring, upgrades, repairs, and compliance with environmental standards Although much of this happens out of sight, it's critical. Without proper sewerage treatment, wastewater could pollute rivers, harm public health, and damage the environment. Why Did Charges Go Up? (IWK) For nearly three decades, IWK didn't touch its rates. But rising operational costs, expanding service coverage, and growing demand meant a change was overdue. The government revised sewerage tariffs in late 2022 and early 2023 to reflect this. Here's a breakdown of where your money goes: (IWK) Even with the revised rates, customers still pay less than the actual cost. For example, maintaining a connected home costs about RM17/month , but many households pay between RM4.09 and RM12.32/month . (IWK) Similarly, desludging an individual septic tank costs IWK RM430 (based on an average desludging volume of 1.7m³ and a unit cost of RM263 per m³) , yet customers are only charged RM192 . Why It Matters (IWK) IWK's work might be invisible, but its impact is massive. Your sewerage bill supports a national system that keeps communities safe, rivers clean, and public health intact. Imagine a future where IWK can no longer operate efficiently – where sewage treatment plants fail, leading to polluted rivers, health hazards, and environmental impacts. So next time you get your sewerage bill, remember – you're not just paying for what goes down the drain. You're investing in a cleaner, safer Malaysia. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
The Star
24-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
State's water capacity meets data centre demands, says Air Selangor
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor's water production capacity is sufficient to meet the demands of incoming data centres, says Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor). Air Selangor CEO Adam Saffian Ghazali said data centres in the state are estimated to require about 250 million litres per day (MLD), based on discussions with Invest Selangor Bhd. The current 34 Air Selangor water treatment plants have a maximum production capacity of 6,300 MLD. 'Their current production is only at 5,300 MLD, so this gives us a 1,000 MLD buffer for data centre operations. 'While these data centres are expected to consume a lot of water, we will look to balance their industrial demand with sustainability measures,' he said during the launch of the Air Selangor Sustainability Report 2024 on Tuesday (June 24). Adam added that Air Selangor has subsidiaries ready to produce reclaimed or reused water for data centres aiming to meet sustainability goals. 'For reclaimed water, we have Central Water Reclamation Sdn Bhd, owned together with Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd, so data centres may use treated effluent from IWK plants. 'Data centres in industrial areas can obtain reused water from our subsidiary Air Lestari Sdn Bhd, which processes treated effluent from nearby factories,' he said at a press conference. He also revealed that Air Selangor reduced its rate of pipe burst incidents by almost 25% last year, with its pipe burst index dropping from 4.18 cases per 100km in 2023 to 3.25 in 2024. Adam said that this reduction to an increase in district metering zones (DMZ) in Selangor, with more sensors and command centres set up in pipe burst-prone areas. 'We increased the number of DMZ to 1,900 last year and have further increased it to 2,000 so far this year. 'DMZ works by recording the incoming water usage and billing of consumers in each district every day to form the normal daily standard or average for each district. 'By comparing the data, we can quickly identify if and when a potential massive leakage or pipe burst might occur, allowing us to deploy contractors before it happens,' he said. Adam said this change has enabled Air Selangor to achieve a non-revenue water (NRW) rate of 27%, equivalent to water savings of 298.36 MLD. He added that Air Selangor plans to undergo major organisational reform to place the management of all its assets under a single department by August next year, improving the dependability of its water supply for consumers. 'Moving forward, we hope to give a better customer experience by looking at further optimising our processes and procedures so customers are satisfied,' he said.
Malaysian Reserve
24-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Air Selangor outlines multi-source water strategy to support Selangor's growing data centre demand
by SUFEA SALEHUDDIN PENGURUSAN Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) is prepared to meet the rising water needs of Selangor's data centre developments with a multi-source supply strategy that balances potable, reclaimed and reused water — depending on each operator's sustainability goals and technical requirements. Its CEO Adam Saffian Ghazali said the utility is coordinating closely with developers to accommodate a projected demand of 250 million litres per day (MLD) from data centre projects across the state. 'This is what data centres want from us — they want potable water. Our 34 water treatment plants have a combined design capacity of 6,300 MLD and we are currently producing around 5,300 MLD. That gives us a buffer of 1,000 MLD,' he said at the Air Selangor Sustainability Report 2024 press conference on Tuesday. While reserve capacity is in place, he noted that distribution connectivity remains a key factor in ensuring direct supply to each data centre site. In addition to treated water, Air Selangor is offering tailored solutions through its specialised subsidiaries — particularly for clients pursuing environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets or green building certifications. 'For data centres that do not require potable water, we can provide reclaimed water through our subsidiary, Central Water Reclamation, which is 60% owned by Air Selangor and 40% by Indah Water Konsortium Sdn Bhd (IWK),' Adam said. This option applies to facilities located near existing IWK plants, where treated effluent can be repurified and redistributed. For industrial zones, Air Selangor is also offering reused water solutions sourced from Industrial Effluent Treatment Systems (IETS), managed by a newly incorporated entity called I-Destari under Menteri Besar Selangor Inc (MBI Selangor). 'So if a data centre wants affordable potable water, they can get it from Air Selangor. If they want reclaimed water, they can work with Central Water Reclamation and if they want reused water, we can supply it through I-Destari,' he explained. Adam added that the final decision often hinges on the operator's environmental commitments and whether they are aiming to qualify for internationally recognised sustainability credits. 'If they need credits overseas, I think they will go towards reclaimed or reused water,' he said. On another note, Air Selangor plans to replace 300km of ageing pipes annually until 2034, with the figure rising to 400km thereafter — part of its long-term effort to curb water loss and improve supply reliability across Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. Adam said this long-term programme is part of the company's strategy to improve supply reliability, as outlined in its 2024 Sustainability Report, which showed that 69% of the year's RM690 million capital expenditure (capex) was channelled to non-revenue water (NRW) reduction initiatives. He said the 13.9% decline in capex from RM800 million in 2023 reflected the absence of large-scale water treatment plant construction this year, allowing a greater portion of funds to be directed towards mitigating pipe bursts and NRW. However, Air Selangor expects a shift in spending priorities from 2025 onward, as construction of the Rasau Phase 2 Water Treatment Plant moves forward. The tender process is currently underway and is expected to close in the coming months, although extensions have been requested by bidders. 'Once we award the Rasau Package 2, I would presume that construction of the water treatment plant will form a major percentage of our capex — at least for 2025, 2026 and 2027,' Adam said. The plant is expected to significantly boost water production capacity, supporting Selangor's rising demand and improving overall supply resilience. Adam added that Air Selangor's capital allocation will continue to follow operational priorities, striking a balance between network maintenance and long-term infrastructure growth.
Global News
22-06-2025
- Health
- Global News
Cellfie Project: Young IWK patients with leukemia get to see disease at cellular level
The largest children's hospital in Atlantic Canada wants to make it easier for kids to understand their cancer diagnosis. The IWK is giving children the chance to don a lab coat for the day and see the disease at a cellular level. Dubbed the Cellfie Project, the initiative allows patients with a leukemia diagnosis to take a look at their blood and bone marrow cells under a microscope. 'I explain to them, 'Would you like to see your cancer cells, would you like to see your healthy cells? Would you like to learn more about what's happening to you?'' said Dr. Valérie Bourque-Riel, IWK Health Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Most of the time the answer is 'Yes, I would love to go down to the lab to see my cells.'' Story continues below advertisement A visit to the lab makes the patient an honorary pathologist. They're given a white coat and a USB drive with pictures of their cells. 'It's a life-changing experience, and by life-changing I would say that some children are using the 'Cellfie Stick' at school to explain to their schoolmates what is happening to them and show them why they have a central line, why they're so pale, and losing their hair,' said Bourque-Riel. Kids are also given a new stuffy to take home with them. The crocheted buddies are donated and many of them were made by health-care staff. 'Having something to actually take home with them that's adorable and they can show their friends and everything, it's really quite wonderful,' said Allison Williams, a medical laboratory technologist. The program launched in 2022 to help take some of the uncertainty out of navigating a cancer diagnosis. Since then, it has continued to grow to help more patients. For more on this story, watch the video above.
