KUALA LUMPUR – On January 27, the Court of Appeal declared a development project in Taman Rimba Kiara null and void.
But, for residents of the Bukit Kiara longhouses, divisions persist over the judgment.
Sivakumar Muniandy, a 50-year-old IT manager and secretary of the Bukit Kiara Longhouse Association, said there are two factions among the longhouse residents.
He said his association has garnered the support of the younger residents.
“On the other hand, a second residents’ association, the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents’ Association (TTDI RA), has proposed building 200 townhouses at the current location of the longhouses.
“This is an amazing plan from both of them, which would mean better living standards for us, compared with living in a high-rise building,” Sivakumar told The Vibes recently.
Meanwhile, a third party has also entered the equation – Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP), which previously proposed relocation plans to the longhouse residents.
“Some of the residents were clueless and had been forced to sign it. They thought that if they didn’t, they wouldn’t get a house,” Sivakumar said.
He said the agreement signed between the residents and YWP was the trigger point that caused opposition to the townhouse development plans.
Expressing happiness with the Court of Appeal’s judgment, Sivakumar said he agreed with TTDI RA’s concerns regarding why such a big area in Taman Rimba Kiara is required for the project.
“Our townhouse proposal is enough and cheaper. With the current pandemic, the government should be wise with its expenditure.”
Meanwhile, Bukit Kiara Public Housing Residents’ Association president Sunderam Vadiveloo said they are disappointed with the court’s decision.
“We respect the judgment, but we are not happy. We have been staying here for 39 years; the project would have solved our housing issues.
“Now, we don’t know what to do. We have to wait and see what Kuala Lumpur City Hall wants to do, as we don’t know what it wants to do.”
On the townhouse alternative, Sunderam said while it is a good idea, it will likely not come to fruition.
“It is a good idea, but how are they going to get it done? Do they have a place to do it?”
The Court of Appeal decision on January 27 was over a judicial review application by TTDI residents against the mixed-development project in Taman Rimba Kiara.
The project involved the building of serviced apartments and affordable housing units for residents of the longhouses.
However, the Court of Appeal quashed the development order on various grounds, including conflict of interest concerning the Kuala Lumpur mayor. – The Vibes, February 4, 2021
