RESIDENT groups opposing development projects in Kuala Lumpur have challenged Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to report his allegations to the law enforcers that they were out to extort the developers.

“If he has evidence to support such allegations, (he) should rightfully lead the way in making the necessary reports as he and the Ministry of Federal Territories has a duty to protect the wellbeing of the people of Kuala Lumpur,” Protect Taman Desa Coalition said in a statement to The Malaysian Insight today. 

Its spokesman Frank Yeh said the residents, meanwhile, had lodged reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to look into possible irregularities and improprieties in 13 upcoming projects in Taman Desa. 

Tengku Adnan alleged yesterday that several residents groups were opposing development projects in Kuala Lumpur to extort compensation from developers and urged the developers to file police reports.

“It is quite farfetched that ad hoc groups of individuals are capable of derailing developers, what more for personal gain,” said Yeh. 

He said it was strange that the developers, who were purportedly being blackmailed, needed the minister’s urging to lodge reports. 

In an immediate reaction, Save Taman Rimba Kiara Group coordinator Leon Koay said the group had no ulterior motive.

“The TTDI effort to save Taman Rimba Kiara is a straightforward residents’ action to preserve a public park. It is a volunteer effort and is supported by voluntary contributions from residents and the public,” he said.

Save Taman Rimba Kiara committee member Khairudin Rahim ticked off Tengku Adnan, saying none of the volunteers would personally gain anything from their attempt to protect a public park from being turned into another high-end, high-density condominium site.

Both groups slammed Tengku Adnan for his unfounded allegation, saying it was akin to intimidation and slander to discredit residents protesting against unsustainable development in their neighbourhoods. 

Khairudin also slammed Tengku Adnan for failing to meaningfully engage with TTDI residents and address their contentions over the proposed luxury development project that will see the size of Taman Rimba Kiara slashed from 10ha to 5ha.

He said if Tengku Adnan were sincerely concerned for the residents, he would help them by waiving payment of costs that the court had awarded to City Hall and project landowner Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court last week dismissed the TTDI residents’ application for a stay order for the project and ordered them to pay costs of RM10,000 each to City Hall, Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, developer Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd and another TTDI residents’ group Sunderam Residents’ Association.

Khairudin said Tengku Adnan should also stop making the false claim that opposition politicians were behind their protest. – December 19, 2017.