TAMAN Tun Dr Ismail residents want the authorities to leave Taman Rimba Kiara as a green lung and help provide permanent lodging for those living in the longhouses at the fringe of the park. 

The stakeholders also want the authorities to respect the KL Structure Plan 2020, which has identified it as a public green space.

“The Federal Court and Court of Appeal have been clear that the KL Structure Plan 2020 (gazetted 2004) is legally binding. The KL Structure Plan 2020 identified Taman Rimba Kiara as a city park and a public green space. 

“We call on the KL mayor and the prime minister to ensure all necessary actions are taken to demonstrate compliance with the KL Structure Plan 2020,’ they said in a statement after the Federal Court ruled in their favour.

Earlier today, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) failed in its appeal at the Federal Court to have the proposed Taman Rimba Kiara project in Taman Tun Dr Ismail reinstated.

The apex court upheld a ruling by the Court of Appeal, which quashed the development order on April 27, 2021.

 DBKL, Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan and the developer, Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd, had previously sought for the development order to be reinstated.

The Federal Court panel, comprising Chief Judge of Malaya Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah, as well as judges Nallini Pathmanathan and Rhodzariah Bujang, confirmed with finality the 2017 Taman Rimba Kiara development order is quashed and cancelled.

The residents said concurrent with today’s decision, they want newly minted Kuala Lumpur mayor Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to look into the issues they had previously raised. 

This, they said, includes the permanent housing for the 100 longhouse families.

“Let us now work together to deliver affordable, low-density, permanent housing for the longhouse residents within the existing 1.61ha of the longhouse settlement. 

“We previously outlined a viable alternative plan to deliver such housing for the longhouse residents and we call on the KL mayor and the prime minister to work with us on delivering the same.” 

They said the permanent housing can be delivered without having to destroy the adjacent green area in Taman Rimba Kiara.

The residents said their struggle over the years to preserve Taman Rimba Kiara had finally been achieved due to the members’ cooperation, perseverance and commitment.  

“This decision is a landmark victory for our community and neighbouring communities who have been relentless and unwavering in their fight and commitment to preserve Taman Rimba Kiara,” they said.

The residents thanked their legal team, Gurdial Singh Nijar, Aliff Benjamin Suhaimi, Abraham Au, Christopher Leong, Phoebe Loi and Joyce Pang for their indefatigable courage, steadfast commitment.

Meanwhile, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh also praised the legal team for their win in helping the residents.  

“Taman Rimba Kiara at Federal Court - We won today for its preservation as a public park. 

“A battle that has taken us more than five years can finally be put to rest. For me, this is also a battle against the might of those with deep pockets and we prevailed. A big big thank you to our lawyers,” she posted on Facebook. – April 18, 2023.