“We have voiced our objections to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), as well as through our elected representative, (Seputeh MP) Teresa Kok, but our objections have not been taken seriously by the government.
“Instead, more high-density condominium projects have been erected in Taman Desa in recent years,” the groups said in a joint letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today.
The letter was to express concern over approval given to property developer Mah Sing Group to build a housing project “with an excessively high plot ratio”, which the residents said will worsen their predicament.
It called on Anwar to act against overdevelopment in the area, including by stopping all high-density commercial and residential developments in Taman Desa.
The residents also want the prime minister to instruct DBKL and all relevant agencies to set up a special committee to upgrade facilities in the township, including its roads, drains, pedestrian facilities and recreational parks.
They also want to see more schools and facilities set up to accommodate its growing population, and called for improvements to road connectivity and public transportation.
The letter was signed by representatives of the Taman Desa Residents’ Association and the Seputeh parliamentary constituency’s residents, the chairman of the Al-Muhsinin mosque, the management bodies of the Danau Murni, Residensi Desamas, Desa Satumas, Danau Idaman and Tiara Faber condominiums, Iris Apartments and Merc Residence, the Seputeh Sub Zon 1 residents council and Persatuan Harapan Borneo.
Taman Desa facilities need upgrading, says Kok
In a separate letter to the prime minister, Kok said the area has seen 10 new housing projects developed recently, adding 5,887 new units, including 1,967 affordable homes.
She said the Mah Sing project would involve the construction of another 1,612 serviced apartment units and will also see another 800 units built under the government’s Residensi Madani affordable homes scheme.
“The development will see the number of homes in the area rise to 8,299 units. If every home is occupied by four persons, the Taman Desa population will rise by 33,196 people,” she said.
Kok said Taman Desa currently has two primary and two secondary schools in its vicinity.
She said that under PlanMalaysia’s community facility planning guidelines, the government would be required to add as many as 288 primary and secondary school classrooms to cope with the population increase.
She also said that based on the guidelines, the government would need to set up an appropriately sized health clinic, build community halls, and increase police presence in the area.
Kok also said there is a need for better paved roads, improved drainage, upgrades to recreational parks and other facilities that will improve access to public transportation, including overhead bridges, bicycle paths and walkways.
“I urge you to direct DBKL to increase its allocation for these facilities in Taman Desa by utilising the development charges paid by developers in respect of their projects in the area,” her letter read.
She commended the prime minister for his efforts in providing Madani homes to meet the needs of younger Malaysians and those who lack the means to purchase homes.
“However, any population increase must be accompanied by the necessary upgrades to facilities to ensure sustainable development,” she said.