And for you and you and you

Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Winston Churchill

Finally the fight has paid off.

TAMAN TUN DR ISMAIL RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT WITH
SAVE TAMAN RIMBA KIARA WORKING GROUP

This morning the Court of Appeal delivered its decision on the Taman Rimba Kiara matter via an online Zoom session. The Court of Appeal panel, comprising 3 judges, unanimously decided that the Development Order obtained in 2017 by the joint venture of Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan and Developer Memang Perkasa Sdn Bhd for the Taman Rimba Kiara project is null and void. The Court of Appeal panel issued an order of certiorari quashing the development order.

This decision is a major victory for our community and neighbouring communities who have been relentless and unwavering in their fight and commitment to preserve Taman Rimba Kiara. Many of you may recall our first protest in 2016 and the many subsequent protests held throughout the years since. This long and difficult struggle has been possible because of our collective unity, perseverance and commitment to protect our green space against the might of commercial interests, coupled with the staunch support of our Segambut MP YB Hannah Yeoh.

Concurrent with today’s decision, we reiterate our desire for new housing for the longhouse families and we will continue in our efforts to get a proper and fair resolution to permanent housing for the families. They are our neighbours and partners in the TTDI community and we will stand with them.

In light of today’s decision by the Court of Appeal, we call on DBKL and the FT Ministry to finally do the right thing. Let us work together to deliver affordable, low density, permanent housing for the longhouse residents within the existing 4 acres of the Rumah Panjang and leave Taman Rimba Kiara to be the wonderful public park that it already is.

We thank you for all your support, in words and action throughout this journey.

Dated this 27 January 2021

It is with a prayer that the taman will continue to host, undisturbed, in the natural order of living, both local and migrant birds, todate numbering more than 100 species (by my personal record).  These are avian residents and visitors that have made this taman a unique hub, both permanent and transit.