The Malaysian Insight

THE Kuala Lumpur mayor is expected to meet the Taman Desa Residents’ Association soon to explain the developments in the area, said an opposition lawmaker.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said she raised the matter during a closed-door meeting with KL Mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz today.

“I brought up the issue. The Taman Desa Residents’ Association has written a letter to the mayor. They want him to brief them on the developments in Taman Desa, and what upgrading works will be carried out for the people there.

“They sent the letter a few months ago, but there was no response.

“Now, the mayor said he has asked his officers to arrange a meeting. It will be held this month or next year, in January,” she said, when asked about complaints by Taman Desa residents on public land sold to private developers.

She said one of the reasons for the poor communication regarding the matter was the change that took place in DBKL’s management.

According to the protem chairman of the Protect Taman Desa coalition, Frank Yeh, the Taman Desa Residents’ Association does not represent the whole community of Taman Desa.

There are four residents’ associations in the area, Taman Desa Phase 1 Residents’ Association, Taman Desa Residents’ Association, Danau Villa Residents’ Association and Persatuan Kepolisan Komuniti Desa Maju. 

Last month, 11 residents from Taman Desa  filed a suit against Kuala Lumpur mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz to halt the construction of a project known as The Address. 

The 11  are from the three neighbouring condominiums affected by the project – 10-storey Tiara Faber which has 320 units, 13-storey Desa Eight (24 units), and 13-storey 1 Desa (104 units).

The condominium blocks will be three to four times taller than surrounding ones.

DBKL, in August last year, issued a notice stating that it had received an application for planning permission for The Address.

On October 12, DBKL gave its approval for the developer to carry out sub-structure works from 7am to 7pm, from Monday to Saturday, and not on Sunday or public holidays. The developer started work on November 14.

The project comprises 649 units in three blocks of 34- to 42-storey buildings, which would increase density from 60 people per acre to 650 people.

The Protect Taman Desa Coalition, comprising various residents’ associations in Taman Desa, was then formed to object to another 12 high-density developments in the area, and has frequently highlighted the issue.

The judicial review against the KL mayor has been postponed to January 29 and February 10 next year, following an intervention filed by the developer. The hearing was originally slated for November 29.

On December 6, resident Edmund Teoh lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission over the sale of prime land in Taman Desa to a developer at below market price. – December 14, 2017.