DISPUTES over the proposed housing project at Taman Rimba Kiara, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), will be tabled and finalised at the cabinet meeting in April, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad.

He said if the project is scrapped, Kuala Lumpur City Hall will have to compensate more than RM150 million to the developer.

“It is really expensive to pay the compensation but since the residents are still protesting, I will leave it to cabinet to decide.

“I have to prepare the paper and present it. The cabinet will make a decision most probably some time in April,” he said after launching the Perumahan Ku Bersih 2019 programme in Kuala Lumpur today.

The proposed project involves the construction of 350 units of affordable houses for Bukit Kiara longhouse residents and eight blocks of 50-storey high-end condominiums on a 4.8-hectare land.

However, the project has been opposed because the park is one of the city’s last green lung.

Just a few days ago, the TTDI Residents Association refuted Khalid’s claims that City Hall will have to pay compensation if the project is cancelled.  

“In reality, if the project is cancelled, Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan – and not City Hall – is potentially liable to repay perhaps RM40 million to RM50 million to the developer Memang Perkasa,” it said.

The group also commented on Khalid’s remarks on a BFM interview regarding a scaled-down proposal for Taman Rimba Kiara being a “half-victory” for TTDI residents.  

“Our response is simple – the supposed scaled-down proposal touted by the minister has already been rejected by the minister’s own colleague in the cabinet,” referring to deputy minister and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh who had said she considered it unacceptable and unworkable.

Khalid today said the project should proceed as the size of the land involved will be reduced to 3.2 hectares after taking into account the residents’ protest. – Bernama, March 24, 2019