Khairudin Rahim, a spokesman for the residents’ association, said meaningful dialogue had yet to take place despite attempts to engage the developer.

He claimed that the developer had previously agreed to take part in a town hall meeting on Feb 8 but later withdrew, prompting the residents to organise their own session to raise concerns.

“We are happy to engage. We want them to come to the ground, talk to the community and explain their reasons. If they have better justification, tell us. We just want to coexist well,” he said.

Khairudin said the development could worsen congestion in the area as traffic was likely to spill over into already congested neighbourhood roads.

He said the township was not designed to accommodate traffic from neighbouring developments.

Both the residents’ association and NGO Friends of Bukit Kiara have also launched a petition seeking the permanent closure of a rear access road linking Changkat Abang Haji Openg to Taman Tun Dr Ismail, which they say contributes to traffic spillover.

During the town hall, Friends of Bukit Kiara vice-president Tan Boon Hua said the petition would remain open for two weeks before being submitted to the Kuala Lumpur mayor.

Tan highlighted environmental concerns, particularly the project’s potential impact on firefly habitats near the development area where multiple species, including one of the world’s largest firefly species, are concentrated.

He said the developer’s proposed 50m buffer zone was insufficient to protect the ecosystem, and should be extended to between 350m and 500m.

Federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh, who attended the town hall today, said a larger buffer zone was being considered.

However, she noted that expanding it significantly could make certain parcels undevelopable and would also raise issues on landowner rights.

The Segambut MP said one option being explored was shifting development density to other plots if a wider buffer zone is implemented, subject to further studies.

She urged residents to clarify their position on access road usage, including whether they wanted restrictions or alternative arrangements, to help authorities evaluate proposals.

No approval for the project has been granted at this stage. FMT has withheld the name of the developer pending comments.