The pushback against data centers saw early victory in Malaysia when 500 households successfully stopped a proposed data center from proceeding in their neighbourhood. The project consultant reportedly withdrew the application for planning permission “to allow the developer to re-evaluate the feasibility of the site and its development components” to harmonise more with its neighbourhood, according to local reports citing Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).
The withdrawal also included an application for alienation of the land under the National Land Code 1965 (Act 56). The proposed land is located in Section 9, Kota Damansara in Selangor.
The proposed data center comprises two blocks of three-storey facilities to be sited across 19 private lots and part of a government road reserve along Jalan Rimba Riang 9/6, Petaling Jaya.
The 500 households, through their recently-formed coalition Gabungan Penduduk Kota Damansara, together with the area’s politicians submitted almost 300 formal objections in the preceding days before the project’s application was withdrawn.
The residents cited noise pollution, environmental heat, 24-hour operation, high energy consumption, traffic hazards and the potential surrender of government road reserve. The group also urged the council to reinstate the original plan for shops at the site.
Other complaints are tied to the public notification of the proposed data center where only a one-week objection window was given along with inaccurate reference numbers and contact details on the project notice board. Furthermore, the site was zoned for “business and services” and “transport” under the Petaling Jaya Local Plan 2 (RTPJ2).
However, the shelving of the application does not mean it is scrapped for good. Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohamad Zahri Samingon had reportedly said the developer of the data center can still resubmit a fresh application as long as “it complies with whatever is permitted under the local plan.” But it would undergo a strict review process and residents can submit their feedback or objections, he added.