‘A major victory for our community’, say TTDI residents after court rules in their favour

PETALING JAYA: The Court of Appeal's unanimous decision to declare that the development order (DO) granted for the Taman Rimba Kiara project null and void is a major victory for the Taman Tun community, says the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Resident's Association (TTDIRA)

“This decision is a major victory for our community and the neighbouring communities who have been relentless and unwavering in their fight and commitment to preserving Taman Awam Bukit Kiara, previously known as Taman Rimba Kiara, ” said TTDIRA chairman Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar.

In a statement, he said that the Court of Appeal issued a certiorari order on Wednesday (Jan 27) quashing the DO, which had been obtained in 2017 in a joint venture by a foundation and a private developer to develop Taman Rimba Kiara.

The decision was made via an online Zoom session by a three-judge Court of Appeal panel.

Abdul Hafiz also said that the TTDIRA will continue to get a proper resolution for permanent housing for the longhouse families affected by the Taman Rimba Kiara project.

It said that in light of the Court of Appeal's decision, TTDIRA calls on Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Federal Territories Ministry to “do the right thing”.

“Let us work together to deliver affordable, low density, permanent housing for the longhouse residents within the existing four acres of the Rumah Panjang and leave Taman Rimba Kiara to be the wonderful public park that it already is, ” Abdul Hafiz added in a statement on Wednesday (Jan 27)

Previously, Taman Tun Dr Ismail residents had objected to the initial housing project proposal and filed an application with the High Court for a judicial review to quash the conditional planning permission and a development order granted by DBKL.

Their judicial review application was denied in 2018, which prompted the residents' group to file a notice of appeal with the Court of Appeal to contest the High Court’s decision.