Many TTDI-ians go to Taman Rimba Kiara to carry out outdoor daily activities such as jogging, picnic and even line dancing. While the public park is located in the heart of Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI), many neighbouring residents from Bandar Utama and Damansara also gather there in the mornings and evenings for a stroll.
Since early 2016, there has been countless protests to protect and preserve Taman Rimba Kiara. This took place ever since the announcement of the proposed 4.86ha development. The project has a 29-storey block of affordable housing and eight blocks of serviced apartments ranging from 42 to 54 storeys.
According to The Star, the development also includes the construction of a six-lane highway and a flyover into the suburb to accommodate the big increase in population density. This linkage of Penchala Link to Jalan Datuk Sulaiman will require extensive expansion works. In doing so, will indirectly narrow existing monsoon drains and reduce the number of canopy trees in the area.
Taman Rimba Kiara used to be a rubber estate and the ex-plantation workers who lived there before the development took place in the 1980s were relocated to the present longhouses. The ex- plantation workers were promised affordable housing 35 years ago and are still waiting.
The Federal Territories Minister said the 180 free units will also be offered to the families of ex-plantation workers living in longhouses within the area, hence there are some mixed reactions from the public regarding this issue.
Malay Mail Online reported Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mhd Amin Abd Aziz saying that the project was still under Rule 5. Rule 5 is a provision that requires the mayor to reach out to registered owners of adjacent land, through advertisements to invite objections to the application for development that involves the conversion of land use, zoning or increase in residential density.
According to him, the project has not been approved due to the objection process so people will just have to wait patiently for the outcome of it.
“People must know, when a land is already owned by an organisation or an individual, it/he is entitled to build development,” Mhd Amin was quoted saying.
On the other hand, national newswire Bernama reported Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor saying that the major property project at the Rimba Kiara park in TTDI would still go ahead, despite the residents’ threat to take legal action.
“We hope the residents will not be easily manipulated that they take legal action against DBKL when we have already explained that the development will not disturb the Rimba Kiara recreational area,” he stressed.
Both sides have some valid points on the project development but we truly hope it will be a win-win situation for all.
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