THE Taman Tugu project is a not-for-profit corporate social responsibility initiative led by Khazanah Nasional Bhd (Khazanah) with the support of the public sector, private sector and civil society. It conserves 68 acres (26.7ha) of prime land green-lung in the heart of the city and is open to the public for free.

The initial proposal was for a profit-oriented theme park for tourist while other developers were pushing for commercial development. After various community engagements Khazanah decided to convert the site into a public park and transfer it to Amanah Warisan Negara to be managed and protected in perpetuity as a public green space.  

Reviews on Tripadvisor.com include praise like “Awesome recreation spot”, “Excellent public green forest park” and “A gem in the city”. 

The former Khazanah managing director engaged the public and relevant stakeholders on details of the taman.

This is a place that can be enjoyed by all and not by developers with excessive and intense desire for profit.

What about Taman Rimba Kiara (TRK)? 

Last month, the developer Malton Group produced an advertorial committing to sustainable development and not encroach on TRK. 

Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP) and Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd (MPSB), subsidiary of Malton Bhd (Malton), signed a joint-venture agreement in 2014. YWP and Bukit Kiara longhouse settlers signed a master resettlement agreement in 2015. Subsequently, DBKL approved and issued a development order (DO) for 12 acres. 

The advertorial showed the total land size is reduced from 12 to 8 acres and the apartment blocks reduced by 50%. In creating a harmonious development in the communities they operate, the developer will contribute 4 acres to the community. The longhouse settlers’ rights remain protected besides a larger land size allocated for the existing temple. 

However, a photo of the scaled-down version shows the land area and number of units for Rumawip reduced while land size for the temple remains the same and the land for the serviced apartment reduced by only 20%. 

The funny thing about this controversial project is that the Federal Territories (FT) minister, since March, has wanted the dispute to be decided by the cabinet. 

But there is an appeal against a High Court decision in November 2018 that says DBKL’s DO is proper and valid. The Court of Appeal’s hearing on September 10 was postponed to November. Whatever the decision, the case may escalate to the Federal Court. 

Also, despite multiple reports lodged, an MACC investigation that has gone on for so long is still outstanding. 

The FT minister said TTDI residents are staying in beautiful houses; what about the fate of the longhouse settlers? 

I think the FT minister forgot a few facts. TTDI residents do not want all the 25 acres and have come to a compromise for development to take place at the present longhouse site.

Volunteer architects have planned for townhouses, costing around RM25 million, to be built on the existing longhouse land. If DBKL can spend a lot more on the Bangsar-Damansara elevated highway to cater for a massive high-end project by Malton, why can’t they do the same here to fulfil a 37-year promise to the longhouse settlers?

I hope everyone will take the cue from Khazanah on community engagements and protecting parks in perpetuity, while DBKL should start planting our national tree, the merbau at the controversial TRK site.

“Once destroyed, nature’s beauty cannot be repurchased at any price.” –  Ansel Adams.

What say you… – September 17, 2019.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.