About this episode

The episode discusses the struggle to save Taman Rimba Kiara and the promise of new homes for longhouse families.

For years, residents, activists and the Bukit Kiara longhouse community fought plans to develop part of Taman Rimba Kiara , a dispute that eventually made its way to the country's highest court. In 2023, the Federal Court ruled that the proposed development was unlawful, securing a landmark victory for those seeking to preserve the park. But throughout that long struggle, campaigners repeatedly stressed that saving Taman Rimba Kiara was only part of the story. The other part involved a promise made more than four decades ago to families relocated from the Bukit Kiara estate in 1982, many of whom have spent the past 44 years living in temporary longhouses while waiting for permanent homes. Now, under a new proposal by the government, 98 longhouse families will receive new homes, while part of the land will be gazetted as public open space. We find out about the latest developments from Leon Koay and Khairudin Rahim from the Save Taman Rimba Kiara Working Group, and Sivakumar Muniandy, Secretary of the Bukit Kiara Longhouse Residents Association. Listen to our previous coverage: TTDI vs DBKL: Green Lung or Built Blocks?  TTDI vs DBKL: Taman Rimba Kiara - Not Out Of The Woods…

People in this episode

Guests: Leon Koay, Khairudin Rahim, Sivakumar Muniandy

Topics covered

• urban development
• community activism
• legal battles
• environmental preservation
• housing issues

Keywords

• Taman Rimba Kiara
• Bukit Kiara
• longhouse families
• development plans
• Federal Court ruling

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Save Taman Rimba Kiara Working Group, Bukit Kiara Longhouse Residents Association

Places: Taman Rimba Kiara, Malaysia

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