Complaints of overdevelopment, congestion dominate town hall
Cheras residents warn that rapid development, worsening congestion, dwindling green spaces, and traders crowding public walkways are making their neighbourhoods harder to live in.
The residents took the opportunity to raise long-standing issues at Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) Cheras town hall session conducted by Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif.
The sixth meeting in the “Dialog Bandar Raya” series, held at Taman Segar Community Hall, was attended by over 500 people who included Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, community leaders and representatives from residents’ associations and non-governmental organisations.
One resident highlighted how a pisang goreng stall was allowed to operate on a walkway, while others expressed frustration over shrinking open spaces, mushrooming high-rises in their neighbourhoods and impact of the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA).
Taman Yulek resident Teh Hong Bee said every new project seemed to come up without proper access roads or exits.
“All the extra cars end up squeezing into existing narrow roads and the congestion is becoming unbearable.
“We welcome development, but it must not be done haphazardly.
“The congestion in my neighbourhood is getting worse by the day,” said Teh.
Taman Cantik resident Han Jun Siew called for more transparency on the URA.
He suggested DBKL hold town hall sessions dedicated to URA in each constituency.
“People need to know what will happen before and after urban renewal takes place,” he said, adding that while Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) and PLANMalaysia were the main agencies involved, the biggest stakeholders were the residents.
Han also cautioned against fear-mongering, saying some parties had told elderly residents that Land Acquisition Act 1960 would be used against them if they refused redevelopment.
“The best way forward is to educate people on their rights.”
Several residents also voiced frustration over traders taking over walkways meant for people’s use.
“Now we have to walk on the road. It is dangerous, especially for children and the elderly,” said one resident.
Long-time resident Zen Hui pointed out that the DBKL swimming pool in Bandar Tun Razak had been out of order since 2020.
“I used to go there all the time, so I want to know when it will be fixed,” he said.
One resident proposed setting up a WhatsApp group for each constituency, so that officers could engage directly with the community.
He said emails and even faxes often went unanswered.
“With WhatsApp, we would at least be able to reach the officers straight away and get a response,” he reasoned.
Maimunah responded to each complaint raised.
On the URA, she said she would take residents’ suggestions to KPKT and PLANMalaysia.
On development concerns, she explained that some projects had been approved before her tenure and could not be undone.
“For any new projects after the gazettement of Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040, I assure you we will follow the guidelines,” she said, adding that she would review social and traffic impact studies of pending projects.
On the proposal relating to WhatsApp groups, Maimunah said it would be difficult to monitor multiple groups, and urged residents to use the Adu@KL complaint platform.
As for the swimming pool, she acknowledged the situation and said DBKL was seeking federal funding of RM15mil to upgrade the facility.
