Taman Desa RA meet with KL mayor over neighborhood development woes

KUALA LUMPUR: Taman Desa residents' association representatives raised their concerns today with KL mayor Tan Sri Datuk Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz over the mass development the neighbourhood is currently facing.
The association deputy president Yap Biow Hwee, said among the concerns raised during the meeting were the anticipated traffic congestion and haphazard road side parking.
"Residents living within the Taman Desa enclave are mostly concerned with the over development happening in the neighbourhood as there is no evidence of local infrastructure planning or add-on development of utility services to support the sudden surge of mass development of new residential properties.
"We believe that once the construction of some of these new apartments and condominiums is completed, there will be an increase of 70% population, which is something that is not sustainable by the neighbourhood.
"Hence, we hope the mayor or Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) would consider discussing with the developer to fine tune some of those approved projects," Yap said during a press conference after the meeting at the mayor's office at Menara DBKL, this morning.
Yap pointed out that some of these new development projects are said to be located along key passageways heading into the Taman Desa residential area.
"Currently, the traffic flow in the area is already quite bad as some motorists would utilise some of these key passageways to avoid the peak hour congestion along Jalan Klang Lama.
"The building of 5,744 units and more of the apartments and condominiums would further worsen the existing traffic condition, creating a hassle for everyone, especially the residents," Yap said.
Yap said he even asked the mayor if DBKL has any plan to upgrade the drainage and sewage system in the area which has never before been upgraded.
He said that the drainage networks have been burdened by years of wear and tear, resulting in the flooding of the low areas of the neighbourhood.
"The new development would surely increase the stress on an already ageing system and we predict that once those projects are completed, the vast built-up areas will collect more surface water to flood the ageing drainage system," he added.
Also present in the meeting was Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who hopes that there will really be some concrete action from DBKL on the concerns raised.
"What the people want is simple, just follow the KL Structure Plan 2020, otherwise KL will be a mess," Kok said.
Yap also handed over to the mayor a memorandum signed by 2,400 residents objecting to the over development in Taman Desa.