Court decision on Taman Rimba Kiara shows power of ordinary folk

Taman Rimba Kiara in Taman Tun Dr Ismail has been saved from being developed. – FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

Taman Rimba Kiara....may you stand forever.

Alhamdulillah, the rakyat won. Let the landmark Federal Court decision on Taman Rimba Kiara be a lesson to authorities not to flex their muscles against ordinary people.

It has been a long and arduous journey since 2017 when the body that is supposed to look after KLites instead fought them to the highest level.

Time, money and resources that could have been used to further improve Kuala Lumpur, wasted by both sides.

Point to note, even when there was a change in government in 2018, the stance remained.

Could it be that the government has no influence or the parties involved are so influential?

Strangely, at the initial project briefing, it was the authorities doing much of the talking. And at that time there was a city advisory board.

It is crystal clear that the site was meant for public open space. Yet the authorities turned a blind eye. And there is also the matter of conflicting interests.

For me, this is not the end but a new start to investigate further why such decisions were made.

The main criteria used, I think, in all probability were against the criteria for a good and sustainable development project.

There may be other high-handed projects developed – in construction or in the pipeline – where there was no resistance due to resource constraints or could-not-care-less attitude from the authorities.

I do hope that the relevant enforcement agencies start to do checks.

Well done to the people of Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the team of lawyers led by Datuk Dr Gurdial Singh Nijar and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh who was always there to lend an ear and provide moral support.

Not forgetting TTDI Residents’ Association immediate past chairman Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar.

This decision represents the people’s united voice.

DBKL has to look at the legal impact of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan on other ongoing developments and whether it has a duty to explain its planning decision to those who object.

Last but not least, local authorities must reflect and do what they are supposed to do for the well-being of people in Malaysia Madani. What say you?

SALEH MOHAMMED

Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur