KUALA Lumpur residents’ groups are more interested to know if Putrajaya will stop projects approved by corrupt officials rather than celebrate former federal territories minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s corruption trial.

Save Taman Desa Coalition chairman Frank Yeh said it doesn’t really matter if Tengku Adnan, or Ku Nan, as he is commonly called, is slapped with a fine or goes to jail.

“We are not surprised that Ku Nan was charged. We want development that was approved illegally through corruption, stopped. That is more important for us,” Yeh told The Malaysian Insight.

“Will the mayor (Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan) and the federal territories minister (Khalid Samad) stop it?”

Tengku Adnan was charged with receiving RM1 million from Tan Eng Boon to increase the density of a plot of land in Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur.

He was also charged with receiving RM2 million from Aset Kayamas Sdn Bhd chairman Chai Kin Kong, knowing that the company and five other firms have official business with his ministry to purchase City Hall land to construct 14 affordable home projects in Kuala Lumpur.

Among the areas listed were Taman Desa, Taman Metropolitan Kepong, Batu and Bukit Jalil.

Taman Desa, located off Jalan Klang Lama, saw 15 new development projects in the span of two years, comprising mix-development and high-rise condominiums.

Yeh said one of the projects they protested against involved affordable housing by Aset Kayamas near the Desa Water Park.

“That place was recreational land and they have turned it into mixed development, so they (City Hall) should review it and make it more conducive for the environment.”

The first project in Taman Desa was in 2016, located on private land, he said.

“We could not do much but stage a protest over the construction of a 50-storey condominium.

“However, because of the market conditions, the project was put on hold, but it doesn’t mean that the fight is over.

“This project is on a small piece of land meant for terrace houses and bungalows but it was approved by (City Hall). To approve a land that was (earmarked) for three-storey bungalows into a 50-storey condominium is too much.”

Save Kuala Lumpur Coalition deputy chairman M. Ali said Putrajaya should now step in and put a stop to all projects where work has not started.

“There are 273 projects that were highlighted. If the projects have started, then nothing can be done.

“The projects should be stopped if there are elements of fraud or criminal implication,” Ali said.

In 2015, residents of Taman Metropolitan, Kepong, were up in arms when they found out that a park would have to make way for affordable housing and condominiums.

Fortune Park residents’ association chairman Chan Fatt Seong said while they were not surprised Tengku Adnan was charged, they are more concern about the projects in their area.

“We were very unhappy about the land deals and have made several complaints but no action had been taken.

“Once they put up the signboard for development, we started to protest because the park should remain a green lung.

“We booked a bus and went to City Hall but nothing was done. We even made several reports but no action was taken.”

The gazette for the Taman Metropolitan Kepong recreational park was revoked in June 2015 to make way for a mixed-development project.

The proposed project comprised two blocks of affordable apartments (1,514 units), four blocks of apartments (1,472 units) and 35 shop lots.

Chan still hopes that City Hall will stop the last project slated for development in the area.

“Almost 90% of the first development project has been completed, while the second development is at 30%.

“There is supposed to be a third development, can it be stopped?

“We want to enjoy our fresh air, just like before the development. I am doubtful that the projects will be stopped but if they (City Hall) can do it, then we will be grateful.” – November 16, 2018.