PETALING JAYA: The Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Executive Committee (JKTWPKL) rejected the proposal to build a police station on a plot of land due to the proximity of the existing Taman Desa police station, located just 500 metres away, a minister said in a written parliamentary response today.
According to Free Malaysia Today, Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that on June 27, JKTWPKL decided to expand the Taman Desa police station's land area by merging two plots.
This announcement highlights the ongoing controversy over the land approval for a condominium project in Taman Desa, a matter that has raised questions regarding the priorities and decision-making processes of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Federal Territory Lands and Mines Office.
Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok Suh Mih has been vocal in seeking clarity and accountability over this matter.
In September, during a meeting with the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Kok discovered that the private company had received approval from the Federal Territory Land and Mines Office (JKTWPKL) to develop a condominium on land that had been designated as reserved for public purposes.
This site is located in Taman Desa, an area which has long been identified as needing better infrastructure due to rapid urban development.
However, when Kok raised the issue in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament), it was revealed that the Home Ministry and the police had opposed the land sale, as they intended to use the plot for a new police station to replace the aging Brickfields station, which is currently being rented by the authorities.
Kok has since questioned the inconsistency in DBKL's decisions, particularly why they rejected the police's request for the land but approved the condominium project, especially when residents have raised concerns about the safety and security of the area.
Kok has urged the government to intervene and revoke the land rights granted to the private developer, advocating for the land to be returned to the police for the construction of a new station.
She emphasises that a larger police station is necessary to meet the growing safety needs of the area.
Additionally, Kok has expressed concerns over high-density developments near flood retention ponds and called for a review of existing housing projects in Kampung Bohol and Taman Desa.
In August, she had already submitted a petition to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, requesting that the government address infrastructure needs in Taman Desa and other areas designated for the Madani housing projects.
These projects are meant to accommodate the increasing population but, as Kok argues, need to be matched with adequate infrastructure to ensure safety and sustainability.