RESIDENTS of Taman Tun Dr Ismail are disappointed with the announcement that the development of Taman Rimba Kiara is legal and binding.

Save Taman Rimba Kiara (STRK) coordinator Leon Koay said while the development plans might be legally binding, it is not the right thing to do and political will is needed to resolve the issue.

“We have offered our opinions and the right thing to do is to preserve this green space.

“We need to correct what was done wrong previously. It may be difficult, but we are offering to work together, so let’s try to do that,” he said after a town hall meeting with TTDI residents and Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad.

Khalid said the 4.8ha park was rezoned in 2013 by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan had applied for the land.

“The land is owned by the Federal Territories Ministry and was to be used for mixed developments. They had to pay RM60 million premium to develop it.

“This agreement is formal, official and it is a binding agreement. The developer has said he will give up the land, but we have to pay them back RM155 million,” Khalid said.

Koay said Khalid had offered to set up a joint work committee to address the issue.

“So we take it from there, the government has shown that, when it feels the need to do the right thing in the public interest, they will do it.

“Khalid is relatively new in the role, lets try to work together and generate a decent result,” he said.

Koay said the park is not set up to be a commercial or high-density development area.

“It’s part of Bukit Kiara, which was acquired for public purposes, it should not have been allowed to be developed.

Leon also said that the Federal Territories Ministry can refund the RM155 million.

“If the project is cancelled, the land office can refund the money. Most of it is refunds.

“They (developer) might claim lost of profit but it has to be proven in court, but they haven’t even gotten a sales permit. They don’t even have a sales permit, what lost profit are they talking about?”

Resident P. K. Chan, 56 said he is disappointed but still believes that DBKL can revoke the agreement.

“I’m sure there are ways for him (Khalid) to do it. I feel he took the easier way out by saying he can’t revoke it, he has no power to change it. I’m sure there are ways.

“TTDI is a very livable place with beautiful parks, if the approval is given to developer to go ahead then it will disturb the environment.”

Another resident, 55-year-old Peter Leong, said Khalid has to find a balance between what’s legal and what can be done.

“No, I’m not okay with it (Khalid statement), we know that there are obstacles that he needs to address and I hope he does his level best.” – November 24, 2018.