Wait for new minister, Kok urges angry Taman Desa residents

Mayor knows about overdevelopment complaints, but must await the appointment of a new FT minister, says incoming MP.

Teresa Kok urges frustrated residents to wait until a minister is appointed for the Federal Territories. (Youtube screengrab)

PETALING JAYA: Teresa Kok of DAP has called for patience among frustrated residents of Taman Desa, after their complaints about overdevelopment in the area boiled over, leading to her threat of a defamation suit against them.

Kok, who is the incoming MP for Seputeh, said she had brought up their complaints with the Kuala Lumpur mayor this morning at a meeting with the 10 other incoming MPs of the capital, but no decision can be taken until a Federal Territories Minister is appointed.

Representatives of the Protect Taman Desa Coalition, who had made criticisms of Kok, had acknowledged her right to sue them but also said they wanted to work with her on the matter.

Kok told FMT: “It’s not about suing them but being focused on common issues affecting Taman Desa. I can understand the frustrations of the residents.”

She said she had always given her best towards defending the interests of the residents and their objection to overdevelopment.

“I have already raised the issue with KL Mayor Amin Nordin Abd Aziz. He said he was waiting for a directive from the new minister to resolve issues related to land use and 64 other questionable land deals.”

She said the City Hall (DBKL) officer in charge had said he would make arrangements for a brieifing on various projects and land deals in Taman Desa.

“We hear the people. Yes, Pakatan Harapan now heads the government, but we hope people will understand there is still due process and legalities to be followed. We have to wait for the new FT minister to take office. Then we will urgently raise the issue with the new minister.”

Kok promised to keep the residents informed from time to time and hoped that they would not resort to any more defamatory statements.

She had threatened to sue three Taman Desa residents for defamation after they posted screenshots of their conversations with her on the Protect Taman Desa Coalition Facebook page. They had also claimed that Kok had ignored them as well as the problem of overdevelopment in the area.

Yesterday, Kok described their actions as “despicable” and said she reserved the right to sue to protect her reputation. -FMT