KUALA LUMPUR: Sixteen residents' groups in Taman Desa, here, have expressed their dissatisfaction over what they say is excessive development in the area.
In a letter conveyed through Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok, they said that the developments have led to traffic congestion and ruined the beauty of their surroundings.
"We have voiced our objections to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), as well as through our elected representative, 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," they said, adding that they have expressed concern over approval given to a certain property developer to build a housing project.
This, the residents said, was as the development had an excessively high plot ratio which will exacerbate their issues.
As such the residents called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to act against over-development in the area, including by stopping all high-density commercial and residential developments in Taman Desa.
The residents also want Anwar 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.
In a separate letter to Anwar, 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 project mentioned by the residents 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, she added.
"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.
"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."
Kok 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.
"There is also 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 (Anwar) 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," she said.