Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh has urged the rakyat to carefully ascertain future leaders’ capabilities, warning that power in the hands of the wrong individuals could jeopardise the people’s welfare.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for a permanent housing project for Bukit Kiara longhouse residents in Kuala Lumpur today, Yeoh credited Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for bringing an end to the residents’ struggles, which spanned over four decades.
“This issue was solved in (Anwar’s) hands when he is the prime minister - it was not a BN or Perikatan Nasional prime minister, but in the hands of a Pakatan Harapan premier.
“Power, when in clean hands, can be used to solve problems. The rakyat must be careful when choosing leaders.
“If the wrong one is chosen, even a public field can be lost, and the people will be left waiting with no decision (reached),” the DAP leader stated.
The Segambut MP is believed to be referring to an issue involving an “anti-climb” metal fence surrounding Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur, which she had removed after becoming the federal territories minister.
Her move came slightly over three years after the fence was installed by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) when the federal government was helmed by PN.
Commenting on the events leading up to today’s ceremony, an emotional Yeoh expressed her appreciation to Anwar for his commitment to ensuring that the issue, which has spanned several administrations, is resolved comprehensively.
She said the government’s stance in respecting the Federal Court’s decision, preserving Taman Rimba Kiara, and ensuring the welfare of the residents continues to be safeguarded has made this resolution possible.
“I’m grateful that the residents have managed to secure certainty, and families will soon have homes.
“I pray that leaders such as the prime minister will return to Putrajaya after this - you deserve a second term, (Anwar), and I say this with my heart,” Yeoh added.
Consensus among stakeholders
She shared that since 2018, she has worked together with the Bukit Kiara longhouse residents, the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents’ Association, Friends of Bukit Kiara (FOBK), community representatives, and other various stakeholders.
“I have fought for a solution that ensures residents receive dignified housing without sacrificing the preservation of Taman Rimba Kiara.
“The resolution achieved today did not happen overnight - it is the result of numerous discussions, negotiations, and meetings involving various parties over the years in search of a solution acceptable to all.
“It is this consensus-based approach that ultimately enabled a fair and sustainable resolution to be achieved,” she added.
Yeoh noted that the permanent housing project, which involves constructing 200 apartment units where each original homeowner will receive two units, will involve houses being constructed and completed first before residents are relocated.
Each unit will have three bedrooms, with construction beginning today and expected to be completed within the next three years, involving 98 families.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Yeoh said the original agreement with the developer provided one replacement housing unit at no cost, while a second unit was to be sold to 98 families for RM175,000.
However, after years of legal proceedings and taking into account that the affected families are from the B40 income group, she said the government, following negotiations with all stakeholders, agreed that the second unit would also be given free of charge.
Besides that, Yeoh assured that development at the site will be strictly limited to 2.33 hectares, with demolition works of the existing longhouse to make way for further developments to only happen after relocation has been completed.
The existing temple site, she added, will also be preserved and officially designated as a non-Muslim place of worship, with RM100,000 allocated for its upkeep.
RM1m allocation
In his officiating speech at the event today, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, announced an allocation of RM1 million to cover maintenance costs for the housing development for three years once the project is completed.
In 2017, DBKL allowed an RM3 billion project at Taman Rimba Kiara to proceed, which would have comprised eight blocks of 50-storey luxury condominiums and one block of affordable apartments.
It would have taken up 4.9ha, almost half of the 10.1ha Taman Rimba Kiara.
The project was later scaled down, allowing longhouse residents to remain in the area and restoring to Taman Tun Dr Ismail residents a portion of the land.
In 2023, the Taman Rimba Kiara longhouse residents won a landmark case in the Federal Court, with the court dismissing an appeal by DBKL, Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan, and developer Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd to reinstate a controversial development order over parts of the area. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.