THE Kuala Lumpur City Hall has to look after the interest of developers in the city, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said tonight.

This is to ensure the developers have confidence in government processes, said the minister, who has been under fire over the controversial Taman Rimba Kiara project.

“I understand people are unhappy that I look after the developers.

“As the government, we must make sure the developers are confident that once they get the development order, what they have paid for, everything is respected,” he said at a breaking of fast event at Majid Jamek Kg Baru.

He was responding to public opposition to the proposed Taman Rimba Kiara project in Taman Tun Dr Ismail to build high-rise luxury condominiums.

Khalid has been at loggerheads with Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, who opposes the project with TTDI residents, have openly disagreed over the park’s redevelopment.

Yeoh and residents under the Save Taman Rimba Kiara banner have alleged there are elements of corruption in the project’s approval under the previous Barisan Nasional government.

Khalid’s ministry has direct interest in it through Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, which owns the land for the project.

Several reports were lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the project since last year.

Khalid said he not only had to take care of the TTDI residents but the interests of all city folk.

“I have got to think, with the money that I have, what is the best that I can do for all KL residents. Not just TTDI residents.

“As government, I have to look after the interest of City Hall. I cannot just say ok and pay RM150 million (compensation to the Taman Rimba Kiara developer).”

Khalid said he is trying to ensure public funds will not be used for the project as it can be used for something better.

“I don’t have to spend money to build the houses (for longhouse residents) because they are being built by the developer.

“I can save money and use that for KL folk. So, I think I have done my job but I’ve got to balance the interests of all parties.

“I cannot just look after the TTDI residents and not be bothered about the developer or City Hall. That is not the government. We must look after all.”

The project to build eight blocks of luxury apartments and new affordable housing for former plantation workers now living at the Bukit Kiara longhouse was approved in 2014 when Barisan Nasional’s Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was federal territories minister.

The ministry’s Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan is the landowner and joint venture partner with developer Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd, which is owned by Malton Bhd.

According to the agreement, Memang Perkasa will bear development costs while the foundation will receive a fixed sum of RM160 million.

Khalid, however, is sticking to a scaled down version of the condominium, from eight blocks to four, affecting a smaller portion of the park.

However, residents are opposing the scaled down proposal. 

Yeoh and the resident are against the revised scope entirely on grounds of elements of corruption and conflict of interest.

They want the condominium blocks scrapped and only the new affordable housing promised to former estate workers to be built, within the longhouse footprint and without encroaching the park.

Yeoh and TTDI residents have also proposed that town houses be built instead.

The Cabinet is to decide between the two proposals. – May 21, 2019.