Irate Taman Desa residents request town hall over high-rise project

RESIDENTS of Taman Desa are up in arms over a mixed development project in their area that they claim would cause environmental and social problems apart from traffic congestion in their neighbourhood.  

They are urgently requesting for a town hall meeting with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), their MP Teresa Kok and the relevant authorities for an explanation on the project.

The project located at Jalan Desa, Taman Desa consists of a 40-storey Residensi Madani block and two 66-storey Suite Apartments on Lot 52959.

The residents are also questioning DBKL’s rationale of selling the land to developer Mah Sing Group Bhd, which will undertake the huge development project.

They hope the proposed site would be turned into a park, which is lacking there, instead of bringing more development to the area.

Taman Desa Residents Association (TDRA) chairman Wong Chan Choy told The Vibes they were shocked to hear about the project when it was highlighted in the media.

“The residents were angry and concerned about the impact of the project. They are also questioning the need for a big project in the area,” he said.

He said the tall multi-storey buildings should not be added to the former Desa Water Theme Park area where the project is located, as Taman Desa and adjoining Danau Desa need more recreational facilities and green area.

“Access to the development is via Jalan Desa, which serves as one way-in and same way-out traffic. Over-building of residential units would aggravate traffic congestion.”

He said about 5,000 families consisting of those living in terrace homes, apartments, condominiums and low-cost flats will be affected.

On July 3, Mah Sing Group Bhd entered a conditional sales and purchase agreement with the Kuala Lumpur mayor for a 2.50-ha parcel of prime land in Taman Desa for RM108 million.

The project, named M Aspira, will comprise approximately 1,600 residential units across 1.50 ha, and an additional 800 units of Residensi Madani on a one-hectare site within Taman Desa, located off Jalan Klang Lama and the East-West Link Expressway.

DBKL erected a signboard along Jalan Desa near the project calling on the residents to give their feedback by July 18.

The residents collected more than 150 signatures from those objecting to the project which were submitted with their objection letter to DBKL.

Seputeh MP Kok was initially in the dark about the RM108 million deal between DBKL and Mah Sing.

“I was neither informed nor consulted by the government regarding the approval of the sale.

“The land sold by DBKL to the Mah Sing Group was previously reclaimed from developer Aset Kayamas by the government during Khalid Samad’s tenure as former federal territories minister.

“Khalid made the decision following complaints of excessive development from Taman Desa residents,” she said.

Kok added that the government had intended to turn the open space into a park, but the plan has now been cancelled and replaced with rapid development.

“The current government’s actions are nonsensical, as the land has been sold twice by DBKL, and the cancelled development plan has been revived with the land awarded to another developer.”

Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the sale to Mah Sing was conducted through an open tender as the deal was to ensure the construction of 800 affordable housing units at the developer’s own cost.

“This will save the government money as the costs will be borne by the developer,” she had said.

Zaliha said the sale to a highly credible developer was crucial to ensure that affordable housing could be completed within the stipulated time.

“DBKL has not yet issued planning permission to the developer, which must still comply with development conditions, including conducting a social impact assessment, traffic impact assessment, and environmental impact assessment to ensure that the development is controlled,” she said.

Wong hopes Kok will raise this issue with the relevant authorities to seek an explanation on the project.

Social, traffic, environmental impact

Wong said that among the residents’ concerns is the environmental impact where the construction phase and increased population density could lead to noise and dust pollution, increased waste generation, and potential strain on existing waste management systems.

He said they are also concerned about the strain on infrastructure where the influx of residents is likely to overwhelm water supply, the sewage system, schools, hospitals, and transportation as the area is not served by any bus route or rail service.

Their major concern, Wong said, was traffic congestion where the high-density development is expected to significantly increase traffic congestion on already strained roads and intersections, leading to longer commutes.

“The proposed development will increase the total number to 8,585 units and at least 8,000 cars. As expected, car parking will overflow along Jalan Desa, the sole roadway to this area.”

Wong said the residents proposed that DBKL conduct a TIA (traffic impact assessment) and disclose the full report.

“We insist for DBKL to allow the residents association time to engage an independent traffic consultant to review the outcome of the said traffic impact assessment and take our findings into account.

“Also hold public forums to address residents’ concerns and gather feedback before making a decision.” – July 19, 2024.