FEDERAL Territories Minister Annuar Musa’s statement on continuing development at Taman Rimba Kiara is sub judice as the matter is still before the Court of Appeal, said a residents’ group.

“The minister’s forceful statements about proceeding with the development project at Taman Rimba Kiara, which has been given blanket coverage in the media, appear to be sub judice,” said a statement by the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents’ Association (TTDIRA).

TTDIRA, under Save Taman Rimba, is appealing against a lower court’s dismissal of its application for a judicial review to challenge the approval given to the development.

The project, which comprises nine apartment blocks, is a venture between Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP) and Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of top developer Malton Bhd.

The residents’ group said a request was made last month for an appointment with Annuar, but there has been no reply.

“We are surprised that the minister has chosen to adopt the project developer’s position in relation to the validity of the project and its encroachment on Taman Rimba Kiara, without listening to all sides, more so in the midst of the movement-control order.

“TTDIRA formally wrote to the minister weeks ago, on March 18, requesting an appointment to discuss various matters.

“Among other things, we had hoped to offer him the opportunity to get to know residents and taxpayers’ perspectives on the proposed development project at Taman Rimba Kiara, including alternative permanent housing plans on the same site for the longhouse community.

“We note that until today, the minister has yet to respond to our request.”

Yesterday, Annuar said the TTDI longhouse redevelopment will continue without affecting Taman Rimba Kiara’s green area.

He said as many as 100 families who live in a longhouse on the project site will be given new homes, as promised by the government.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall approved the joint venture in 2014, when Barisan Nasional’s Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor was Federal Territories minister.

TTDI residents said the project will destroy 10ha of one of Kuala Lumpur’s last green lungs.

Under the previous Pakatan Harapan administration, Federal Territories minister Khalid Abdul Samad negotiated for a scaled-down project comprising four blocks of serviced apartments and 204 units of affordable housing, but this was rejected by Save Taman Rimba.

On the alternative housing plans, the residents’ group said: “TTDIRA, in conjunction with one of the longhouse residents’ associations and the Segambut MP, have endorsed alternative permanent housing plans for the longhouse community, which can be delivered within the existing 1.6ha footprint of the current longhouse.”

In February, lawyer Cecil Abraham, representing Malton and YWP, told the Court of Appeal that TTDI residents have no legal standing to object to the Taman Rimba Kiara project. – April 12, 2020.