RESIDENTS of Taman Midah in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur want the new Pakatan Harapan government call a stop to a massive mixed development project on a green lung in the neighbourhood.

They are concerned that such a large-scale development next to the Taman Midah Tesco will cause massive traffic congestion affecting some 10,000 residents in the area.

Jason Thiruchelvam is among the more vocal residents who said the new Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad must look into their complaints.

“This was a green open space with trees to filter the air so the residents are not affected by the dust, but it has been removed,” Jason told The Malaysian Insight.

“Why has an open space been converted for development purposes?” 

It was reported that the project, which was approved last year by City Hall, consisted of two 50-storey blocks with 1,319 apartment units and an eight-storey car park built on a hectare of land.

According to the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, the area is earmarked as open space.

Jason said that the project was located too close to the MMR2 exit link connected to Jalan Cheras, which was already clogged with traffic daily.

“This development will not have enough setback for its own slip road.

“If vehicles are going to enter the site, they will stop traffic on Jalan Cheras and cause massive congestion.

“And 800 meters away one of the largest shopping malls, ECO Cheras, is about to open by year-end and this will add to the congestion,” he said.

Jason also said that those living in Taman Segar, Sungai Long, Taman Connaught and Bukit Anggerik will be impeded by the development

“If at all they (City Hall) can’t stop the project, then another solution is to bring the density down.

“They must also give us a solution on how they are going to construct a slip road into the area,” he said.

A restaurant owner at Taman Midah Timur, Mark Yap said that the project may affect up to 20 business owners in the area.

“Because of the traffic congestion, patrons will shun the area. City Hall has to look into lowering the density and come up with a traffic plan,” he said.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said that approving this project was the “sins of the previous government” and this happened because they didn’t want to gazette the KL Draft City Plan 2020.

“I want City Hall to come up with a solution on what is the best deal for the residents there.

“While there might be a possibility that the project will not be stopped, City Hall must come up with a solution for the people,” he said.

Tan said that he had raised this issue with Khalid and the former KL mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz two weeks ago.

“We are currently arranging a meeting between the developer and City Hall to see how to reach a solution. City Hall has already issued a stop work order on the project,” he said. –  September 19, 2018.