PRAISE be to God, the people won. Let this landmark Federal Court decision on Taman Rimba Kiara be a lesson to both local and federal authorities not to flex their muscles on the ordinary person.

It has been a long and arduous journey since 2017, where the body that was supposed to look after the Kuala Lumpur people’s well-being were fighting them up to the highest level.

Resources were wasted by both sides that could have been used to further improve KL.

But even when there was a change in government in 2018, the stance remained. Could it be that the government has no influence or the parties involved are so influential? Strangely, at the initial project briefing, it was the authorities that were doing much of the talking. And at that time there was a city advisory board.

It is crystal clear that Taman Rimba Kiara was meant as a public space. Yet the authorities turned a blind eye.

I don’t think this is the end. Instead it is a new start to investigate further why such decisions were made and the main criteria used in this project, which I think in all probability are against the criteria for a good and sustainable development.

There may be other high-handed projects where there was no resistance due to resource constraints or devil-may-care attitude from the authorities. I do hope the relevant enforcement agencies start to do checks.

Well done to all the people of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the team of lawyers led by Gurdial Singh Nijar, and of course, Hannah Yeoh, who was always there to lend an ear and provide moral support. Not forgetting the ex-chairman of the TTDI Residents’ Association, Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar.

They represented the united voice of the people.

The KL City Council now has to look at the legal impact of the KL Structure Plan on other ongoing developments and whether it has a duty to explain its planning decisions to those who object.

Local authorities must reflect and do what they are supposed to do for the well-being of the people in line with Malaysia Madani. – April 18, 2023.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.