Residents’ association engages lawyers to quash DBKL development order

 

The Taman P Ramlee Residents’ Association wants a nearby housing project halted on grounds that it could lead to noise and air pollution, and create parking issues. (TPRA pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A residents’ association in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur has engaged lawyers to quash a development order issued by City Hall (DBKL), saying the proposed housing project would increase traffic congestion in their area.

The Taman P Ramlee Residents’ Association (TPRRA) has been mulling legal action since April, after DBKL 

abruptly

 greenlighted a condominium complex comprising two 48-storey blocks with 816 units.

The association said the project is set to go ahead despite a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office to DBKL, and DBKL’s promise to further engage residents, including by sharing a revised traffic impact assessment study.

TPRRA had previously sought government intervention to halt the project on grounds that it would also lead to noise and air pollution, and create parking issues.

The association also argued that the high density development was being built in a neighbourhood approved only for low density landed homes.

In July last year, the association wrote to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urging him to review the proposed development. It also called for DBKL to engage with the residents and Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan.

On March 19 the association again pleaded for Putrajaya to intervene, after receiving no response.

However, 10 days later, the association received a letter from DBKL notifying it that the development had been approved, but with conditions, including a revision of the plot ratio to 1:6.50, from 1:7.20 previously.

DBKL also said that it had taken the views of residents into account when deciding on the matter.

However, the association has not been impressed by City Hall’s justification for giving the project the go-ahead, including a proposal to construct a dedicated bus stop in the area.

Residents are also puzzled by plans to widen Jalan Ayer Panas, although the road is not immediately within the vicinity of the development and the residential area.

TPRRA said it also wants to ensure that DBKL complies with the gazetted Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020 in approving the development.

Its president KK Tai, said they have no choice but to take the matter to court, although the irony of having to do so did not escape him.

This small community needs to raise funds to pay for the legal challenge against DBKL’s development order, while DBKL uses taxpayers’ money to oppose us residents in court.

Tai was, however, optimistic about the association’s prospects, despite billing the case a 

David versus Goliath

 battle.

He said collaborations with several other resident associations, including the Kuala Lumpur Resident Action for Sustainable Development Association and Save Kuala Lumpur, would benefit their case.

The collective voices of the residents, he said, can bring about change to DBKL’s lack of accountability which has exasperated residents. - FMT