KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Ministry will set up a joint committee to review the the controversial housing development project in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), which involves some parts of Taman Rimba Kiara (TRK).
Its minister Datuk Seri Khalid Samad, however, said he was still waiting for confirmation to proceed as plans to establish the committee had long been referred "to the top" for approval.
Khalid also made it clear that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been briefed on the controversy involving TRK.
"The prime minister knows about this and I have sent him a letter on the issue, which should be resolved immediately," he said during a press conference after attending a townhall meeting with TTDI residents here last night (Nov 23).
Present were Segambut member of parliament Hannah Yeoh, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan and TTDI Residents' Association chairman Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar.
The dialogue last night was attended by some 450 TTDI residents.
TTDI residents are protesting the proposed development as they fear the 10.24ha TRK — their “last green lung” in the area — would be in jeopardy.
The proposed development — a joint venture between Memang Perkasa and Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP) — comprises eight blocks of luxury serviced apartments, between 42- and 54-levels with 1,800 units.
It also includes a 29-storey block featuring 350 affordable apartments with 200 units reserved for the relocation of the longhouse families.
DBKL had, in 2016, approved the housing development on 4.86ha land in TRK, which is designated as a public open space under the Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020.
Meanwhile, Khalid said the government needed to resolve the issue as a legal contract had been signed and a development order had also been issued by the previous government.
"I hope the developers are willing to withdraw the project because otherwise, this case will definitely be brought to court. If it is brought to court, the financial implications will be high.
"The cost of RM150 million I mentioned may involve expenses, but the developers suffer losses and various costs, including defaults, the cost may be difficult for us to predict," he added.
Khalid also said he hoped there would companies that were willing to take over the project.
"However, there are none as of now. If that is the case, DBKL has to absorb all the costs," he said.