TTDI residents cry foul over imposed restriction at certain areas of Taman Rimba Kiara

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) residents are questioning why certain parts of Taman Rimba Kiara have been restricted despite a judicial review and an ongoing investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against a development project at the park.

Residents are questioning this after TTDI resident association chairman Hafiz Abu Bakar revealed that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Landscape and Recreational Development Department had refused any further public event bookings to be held at Taman Rimba Kiara since yesterday.

“Why is it close or even restricted. Works are not supposed to be done on site until the conclusion of the judicial review and investigations into the proposed development by the MACC,” he said.

Last year,TTDI residents filed a judicial review to quash the conditional planning permission and development order granted by City Hall to property developer Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd, in which Malton Berhad holds a 51 per cent stake.

The next judicial review hearing is set on June 13.

Subsequently, an MACC report was lodged by Segambut MP-elect Hannah Yeoh against the Federal Territories Foundation pertaining to the much disputed Taman Rimba Kiara development.

A spokesperson from DBKL landscape department clarified that the park is open to the public. However, he said certain parts of the park are restricted.

“We will need to assess which section should we cordon off at the park next week,” said the spokesperson.

Hafiz said he is baffled by the “U-turn” made by the authorities and reiterated that no works should be done pending the conclusion of the judicial review and MACC investigation.

However, the park closure based on a letter received by the management corporation of Trellises Apartment located adjacent to Taman Rimba Kiara showed that Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd intended to conduct a dilapidation survey and has called for a briefing for the residents on June 6, 2018.

The briefing was followed by a request from Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd to carry out the dilapidation survey within Trellises compound on March 19. However, their request was not approved as the apartment management corporation had imposed several pre-requisites to be satisfied before the survey can proceed.

The document also stated that earthworks will be carried out at the project site according to the Earthworks Approved Plan under the Street, drainage and building act 1974 and Earthwork By Law (Federal territories, Kuala Lumpur) 1988.