TAMAN Desa Aman residents in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, have been granted leave by the High Court to pursue a judicial review against a development order (DO) for an urban renewal project in their neighbourhood.
The DO, issued by the Kuala Lumpur mayor, involves construction of two high-rise condominium towers, of 38 and 44 storeys, containing 700 new residential units.
The development on a 0.8ha site is set to replace two blocks of ageing low-cost flats with a total of 80 units.
Desa Aman Residents Association (Rada) is seeking to quash the DO, contending that it contravenes Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 (KLSP 2020) and Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 (KLCP 2020).
Rada Special Task Force (legal) chairman Datuk Dr Bob Lew said the proposed density of 1,200 people per 0.4ha was much higher than what was allowed in the area.
“Established housing such as these flats only allows a density of 300 people.
“Approving higher density would substantially increase the population density, potentially contributing to traffic congestion.
“It would also contribute to rampant roadside parking that inconveniences residents,” said Lew.
Residents had highlighted their concerns in StarMetro on Oct 25 last year.
While Rada has opposed the redevelopment since 2019, many believed the project had been shelved.
However, after parts of the flats were cordoned off for construction in July 2025, the association found that a DO had been issued in 2022.
It was also learned that redevelopment was approved under the 2020 Kuala Lumpur Redevelopment Implementation Guideline, which allowed the project to proceed with just 50% consent from residents.
“Our residents are challenging the DO, arguing that the guideline cannot supersede KLSP 2020 and KLCP 2020,” said Lew.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai, who had previously objected to the project in 2022, supported the legal move.
“I fully support Rada in ensuring that the homes they have lived in for nearly 40 years are not subject to long-term negative impact.
“They hope to seek justice through judicial proceedings; although the process is arduous, the residents’ unity and spirit of cooperation are truly commendable,” he said.
The case management is set for Feb 12 at Kuala Lumpur High Court.
