'Why are TTDI residents pushy?' queries MCA Youth

PETALING JAYA: MCA Youth is questioning Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad's comments, saying that TTDI residents were "being pushy" regarding the ongoing tussle on the Taman Rimba Kiara development issue.

"TTDI residents, and in fact, all Malaysians are absolutely justified in fighting for the preservation of Taman Rimba Kiara, a green lung with amazing flora and fauna that, if approved by YB Khalid, is a huge loss to all Malaysians.

"How is it that Malaysians fighting to preserve an amazing park is being pushy?" said MCA Youth spokesperson Ryan Ho Kwok Xheng in a statement on Thursday (May 16).

He reminded the minister that he should listen to the people and their interests.

"In just over a year, it seems that him, being a “wakil rakyat” and minister to boot, has also (led him to) forgotten that he is supposed to work for the people, not for corporations seeking a huge payday, and certainly not for Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, as we note that this is a RM3 billion project. 

"And do also provide evidence that compensation to the developer would amount to RM150 million, since YB has claimed that it’s not imaginary, and what steps are you taking to discharge the conflict of interest arising from you being the chairman of YWP and the FT Minister at the same time, "he said.

Ho also pointed out that the Pakatan goverment had previously stated that it would be an environmentally- friendly one.

"It seems to me that having local government elections is the solution to this problem. Give the rakyat the “third vote” - or in KL resident’s situation, the “second vote”- as promised.

"Don’t drag your feet and give the residents actual say in these matters. If Pakatan can’t do that, at the very least please do remember that it’s the people that you are working for, not the other way around, and certainly not to enrich a few at the expense of many," he added.

The Taman Rimba Kiara issue has resulted in a long drawn tussle between TTDI residents and the authorities. 

After Pakatan came to power, Khalid, as FT Minister, renegotiated the deal with the developer and came out with a scaled-down version of the project that saw the number of residential units halved.