Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents Association

The TTDI BOMBA in conjunction with the TTDI Residents' Association is organizing a Hari Pencegahan Kebakaran to create awareness on the do's and don't's in the event of a fire in the home or workplace. This joint effort was initially planned for 31st May, but had to be postponed to 21st July due to a clash in BOMBA's programme.

All residents are invited to this very interesting and meaningful event on this Sunday morning to hear experts talk on the precautions to take to prevent fires as well as measures for survival in the event of a fire.

There will also be fire fighting demonstrations, fire fighting equipment on display and even some smaller items on sale for home fire prevention. If you are lucky, you have even have a chance to have a go at putting out a fire using the firemen's hose!

First we had the bird flu, the the SARS and Nipah outbreak, and now we are told to be on guard for an equally potent outbreak of the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak, the new name given by the WHO for the so-called "swine flu", as it was originally thought to be carried and spread by swine, but now proved otherwise.

There is so much confusion regarding this latest danger looming over us compared to the information readily available, that the WHO has issued an FAQ on the flu attack. Click HERE to read more on the Influenza A(H1N1) .....

Our Health Authorities said that to date there are no confirmed cases of the flu yet in Malaysia while all precautionary measures had been taken at airports to ensure that no infected visitors nor returning travellers enter the country.

Meanwhile here is some commonly offered advice for preventing the spread of this influenza virus:

LAUNCH OF "HUTAN KITA" REFORESTATION PROGRAMME
Date: Sunday, 15 February 2009
Venue: Bukit Kiara Hill Trail

This Sunday morning, the Reforestation Programme of the Bukit Kiara Hill Trail was launched by none other than the PM himself, Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawai, together with his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah who is the Chairman of the Landscape Advisory Panel of Malaysia.

The PM and his wife arrived at Bukit Kiara at 9:00am. On hand to welcome him was Peter Chin Fah Kui, Minister of Plantation Industries & Commodities, Dato' Ahmad Fuad, Datuk Bandar DBKL, Director-General of the Jabatan Landskap Negara and a host of other dignitaries and VIPs. The Chairman of the TTDI Residents' Association and members of the EXCO, as well members from Friends of Bukit Kiara (FOBK) were on hand to strongly lend their support.

After brief addresses by the PM Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi and Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, all those present proceeded to the tree-planting ceremony at the plots prepared.

Earlier Datin Seri had informed those present that the reforestation programme was to slowly replace the existing old and dying rubber trees in Bukit Kiara with new fast-growing jungle trees. Corporate firms as well as the general public were invited to adopt a tree to be planted for a lump sum of RM60 per tree. This sum of RM60 is for the cost of the tree sapling as well as maintenance of the tree for a period of 3 years. For more information on this Reforestation Programme and how to adopt and plant a tree, click here.

Both TTDI RA and FOBK who were members of the Organising Committee for this launch planted trees that morning and were committed to making this Reforestation Programme a success.

HARI TERBUKA PERPUSTAKAAN TAMAN TUN DR. ISMAIL
Date: 15 February 2009
Time: 8:00am - 12:00 pm
Venue: Perpustakaan TTDI, Jalan Athinahapan

To promote the activities and facilities available as well as to increase membership, the TTDI Library held its Open Day in conjunction with the celebration of FT Day. A series of activities starting from 9:00am right up to 12:00 noon was planned for the morning.

The morning started with the colouring competition for children in the concourse area and they were given 2 hours to complete the task. At the same time, in the computer room, a computer game competition Counter Strike was raging between four teams of young boys.

The guest of honour was Y Bhg. Datin Norkhayati Hashim, wife of Datuk Bandar KL. On arrival, she was welcomed by the Chief Librarian, Puan Rosidah Ismail and visited the exhibition put up by the Jabatan Kesihatan DBKL as well as the free health screening for visitors to the Open day. The Chairman of the TTDI Residents' Association, Datuk Mohd Latif M Som was also on hand to support tthe function together with members of his EXCO.

After the completion of the colouring competition, the children were treated to a very entertaining and educational puppet show.

The event ended with prize giving by Datin Norkhayati to the winners of the colouring competion and the Counter Strike computer game competition.

The TTDI RA Exco wishes to congratulate our Chairman , Tuan Haji Abdul Latif Mohd Som, 53,

for being conferred the Dato' Setia DiRaja Kedah (which carries the title "Dato') by his Royal Highness the Sultan of Kedah on the occassion of his majesty's 81st birthday on 18th January 2009.

For your information, apart from TTDIRA, our Dato' has been devoting his spare time to several other engineering/technical NGO associations and charity organisations including one in the northern state of Kedah. That explains his deserving award by HRH the Sultan of Kedah.

Syabas, Dato' Haji Latif!

Date: Wednesday, 14 January, 2009
Time: 8:45 pm
Venue: BAKTI-TTDI Grounds, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, TTDI

After the recent spate of rather brazen criminal activities around Taman Tun, there was a general feeling that the security of our neighbourhood could do with a facelift and perhaps a re-assessment of what could be done to improve the situation. This Forum jointly organizsed by the TTDI Residents' Association together with a host of other NGOs in TTDI like BAKTI, YAWA as well as the TTDI Market Hawkers' Association was to address this need.

In spite of a steady drizzle, there was a strong turnout of about 300 residents, a sure indication as to the concern of the residents on this security issue.

The Chairman of TTDI RA was the first speaker on the three-man panel. Hj. Latif spoke about the measures taken by the association to date, including the private security patrolling scheme that had been introduced. But he disclosed that out of some 5,000 houses in TTDI, only 1,121 households are active and subscribing members. More need to subscribe to the scheme to make it more effective.

Next to speak from the panel was the GM of Sri Lara Joint Security Services, commonly known as Homeguards, who are doing the patrolling work in TTDI. Encik Vijay spoke on the many different aspects of the services offered by the security company, including the Emergency Response Plan that is being implemented to meet special unexpected situations. He explained that at the present subscription level, he has 31 guards patrolling the six zones in TTDI totalling some 5,000-odd houses. The number of guards deployed is dependent on the number of subscribing members from each zone. At the moment only 3 of the 6 zones have 24-hour patrolling.

The third and final speaker was the OCPD of Brickfields District. He gave some statistics on the crime index for the TTDI area which seem to indicate that the level of criminal activities here is much the same as before. He advised victims of criminal activities to try to find out what made them targets of the bad hats and try to eliminate these circumstances. He introduced his team in TTDI as well as some officers from the Brickfields station. He also announced that with immediate effect investigation officers would be based at the respective stations like in TTDI and no longer centrally based in Brickfields. This would facilitate easier assess to these officers by people reporting thefts, burglaries and the like.

After that the Forum was opened to questions from the floor. There was quite a rush for people queuing up to ask questions, making comments and suggesting proposals. There was a very good discussion and exchange of ideas, with a few suggestions which the various organizations can study to see if they can be implemented effectively.

The Forum ended at 11:30pm with a general agreement that there should be regular meetings of this sort to keep up the communication between the residents and the Police. The TTDI RA will coordinate such future meetings.

The Forum organizers wish to express their appreciation to DBKL Segambut for all their assistance in the planning and organization of this security event.

From subsequent discussions with the local Police after the Forum, it has been agreed that follow-up meetings with the local Police will be held as follows:

Date: 2nd Tues of every month (until further notice)
Time: 9:00am
Place: Meeting Room, Balai Polis TTDI.

These meetings are to facilitate residents to continue bringing up issues requiring the urgent attention of the Police or to propose measures or activities that will help to improve the overall security environment in TTDI. All residents are welcomed to attend and contribute your ideas.

BREAKFAST MEETING with Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah on Bukit Kiara

Date: Sunday, 11 January, 2009
Time: 9:30 am
Place: MPH Bookshop, Bangunan BAKTI Siti Hasmah,
Bukit Kiara

On a recent Sunday morning (11 Jan 2009) Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, wife of our Prime Minister took time off to hold a breakfast meeting with representatives from FoBK, the Taman Tun Resident’s Association, the Trail Association of Kuala Lumpur & Selangor (mountain bikers) and Global Environment Centre to discuss the future development of Bukit Kiara. With her were the Datuk Bandar of KL, Dato’ Ahmad Fuad Ismail and the Director General of the National Landscape Department, Dato’ Ismail Ngah. And along with them were ... the Prime Minister himself, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

Datin Seri called this discussion as head of the soon-to-be launched ‘Hutan Kita’ or 'Our Forest' project in Bukit Kiara – a reforestation project which will ensure the continued planting of various rain forest tree species. All the representatives of the NGO's and TTDIRA present confirmed our strong support for this re-forestation project. This project will be officially launched on 15 February with the intention of slowly replacing in stages the old dying rubber trees with suitable forest tree varieties.

A piece of good news from the Mayor was the assurance that DBKL will gazette the 466-acre green lung (as part of the KL Structure Plan) by this June – thus fulfilling one of the primary goals of FoBK.

Since we had the ears of the Prime Minister, the NGO's present stressed that In the development of Bukit Kiara as a natural forest park, the following is important;

Development of this green lung should be done in a sustainable manner and that development efforts shall be on a gradual basis;

It is important to preserve and manage the natural water resources; and
The jogging, bicycle and horse trails should be preserved and maintained.

Illegal rubber tapping is rampant as 40 % of Bukit Kiara consists of old rubber trees. The discarded plastic bags used to collect latex poses a serious health hazard as it serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes leading to an increase in dengue and chikugunya cases among the joggers and bikers. This need to be stopped.

After the discussion, the Prime Minister, his wife and the whole entourage took a one-hour trip round Bukit Kiara hill trail, with occasional stops including one where the PM stopped to sample water from a natural spring.

This is a feather in the cap for the Prime Minister’s wife for her insistence on having this first-ever dialogue with the neighbourhood community. This is indeed one of the rare occasions where the community is actively involved during the decision-making process. FoBK is fortunate to have a strong supporter in Datin Seri Jeanne who has the drive and passion to green Bukit Kiara.

After the Forum session with the residents held on 15 June, our dedicated team of EXCO members entrusted with the task of researching and evaluating the draft Kuala Lumpur 2020 City Plan had compiled the list of comments and objections raised and submitted them to the DBKL by the stipulated August 2008 dateline.

We understand there were many comments and objections raised by various residents, NGOs and other organizations regarding the Draft Plan. The public hearings on these objections /comments have started and it is anticipated our turn will come sometime within the next two months. We will be ready!

But from these objections and hearings, some very disturbing news, which up to now were very well-kept secrets, have come to light.

Telekom Exchange Building in Jln Leong yew Koh
It appears that the Telokoms is planning a high rise and high density development on the very site where its present Exchange Building is located. Its present landuse should be as "White Zone" for institutional use and they are applying to change the landuse to high-rise/ high density residential development.

Apparently due to advances in technology, this large site for the Exchange building is no longer needed, and so the intention is to develop the site for better returns for the Company. But it will not be too difficult to envisage the traffic congestion problems that will arise from this development and the subsequent drop in "quality of life" for the surrounding residents in particular and for the TTDI residents in general.

GSL Development at Jalan Wan Kadir
It would appear that two plots of land at Jalan Wan Kadir owned by GSL Development Sdn Bhd. have been earmarked for high high-rise/high density development.

(a) Lot 51888 (presently car park area in front of Modern Market). Proposed development for "Cadangan Pembangunan 1 Blok Pejabat 31 tingkat dengan 4 tingkat Basement Tempat Letak Kereta" has obtained a development order dated 27 March 2007 and re-endorsed by Planning Dept. of DBKL on 15 Jan 2008.

(b) Lot 50973, presently car park between Plaza VADS (formerly Plaza IBM) and the Residence TTDI Condo. Approved development order dated 13 August 1998 is for "Cadangan Membina 23 tingkat Kompleks Membeli Belah/Pejabat dengan Basement Letak Kereta". The developer is seeking approval to increase the building height to 25 storeys.

Can the present road and traffic system support such high traffic volumes expected with these high density developments?

NGO Plot adjacent to Bukit Kiara
This is one of the plots off Jalan Abang Hj Openg given to NGOs for their headquarters building. The density of these plots is meant to be low in line with the Bukit Kiara backdrop. But now the NGO is appealing "to develop the said land into 2 commercial building office" blocks so as to able to have recurring income from rental of additional office space.

Part of Jalan Abang Hj Openg is now turned into one-way street during peak hours to counter the present traffic congestion and the situation will become unbearable with more commercial development like this one and other NGO plots that will surely follow.

CHECK OUT THE ISSUES IN THE KUALA LUMPUR 2020 CITY PLAN THAT COULD AFFECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN TTDI FOR YOU AND / OR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS !!!

Most of you would in all likelihood have heard of the draft KL local Plan now being presented for public comments as it was quite widely publicised recently in the media. Since 15 May, when the Draft Plan has been presented for comments, a dedicated team of TTDI RA Exco members had been working on the Local Plan - researching & understanding the proposals in Plan, evaluating the impacts, visiting the relevant Govt Agencies to clarify details, and finally drawing up a list of issues that will need our attention, deliberation and putting up an official objection.

The TTDI RA planned a forum session to present our findings to all residents at large, seek your feedback, before submitting our collective comments to the DBKL on the Local Plan. Details of forum session were as follows:

Once the Local Plan is approved after this objection phase, trying to change it will be a very daunting task - mission impossible you may say. There are a number of issues at stake that had ben identified. Now is the time to ensure that we get what we want for ourselves and our future generations approved in the Local Plan. We cannot guarantee that we can get everything we all want, but at least we would have tried our best.

Some 90 residents residents turned up on that Sunday morning to discuss and decide on the action plan for the issues identified. For the benefit of all those who could not make it to the Sunday session, the issues discussed are posted below.

HISTORY & BACKGROUND
The land is owned by UDA and in the early days of Taman Tun was occupied by a cinema that was subsequently renovated into a private club. After a short operation, the club closed down and was left vacant. UDA is now in the process of developing this plot of land into a 30-storey residential block with a row of commercial units. See Figure 1 below.

PRESENT STATUS
From the RA's checks with DBKL, this development has fulfilled the local Authorities' byelaws,' requirements, and regulations as well as procure the relevant approvals. Construction is well in progress.

LOCAL PLAN RECOMMENDATION
According to the Local Plan, this plot of land 19510, etc. is designated as "Neighbourhood Centre Commercial" which allows only for retail commercial activities of not more than 4 storeys.

COMMENTS & POSSIBLE ACTION
However, approval has been given by DBKL under existing policies, guidelines and procedures for high-rise service apartments. DBKL stated that all approvals prior to the acceptance of this Local Plan will be honoured.

(B) MODERN MARKET

HISTORY & BACKGROUND
After the relocation of the old oxidation pond serving Taman Tun, the Modern Market was constructed and has since served TTDI as well as the surrounding communities of Damansara Kim, Damansara Utama and Pencala.

LOCAL PLAN RECOMMENDATION
According to the Local Plan, this plot 50970 is to be designated as "Commercial". This zoning type allows for general retail and office, food and drinks, showroom, etc. In other words, a shopping complex is permissible. See Figure 1.

COMMENTS & POSSIBLE ACTION
There is no need for more shopping complexes with so much facilities already avilable across the road in One-Utama, Mutiara Damansara and the Curve. The residents would like to see the market facilities here made permanent, with improvements to the open car park and proper maintenance of basement sections.

WE WANT THE EXISTING MARKET GAZETTED AS MARKET INSTEAD OF COMMERCIAL IN THIS LOCAL PLAN.

(C) PROPOSED KEN HOLDINGS DEVELOPMENT

HISTORY & BACKGROUND
In the original master plan, there were four plots beside the Balai Polis complex in Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi meant for petrol stations. The two end plots were soon occupied by Esso and Mobil respectively. But the two centre plots remained vacant and were temporarily used as a car park and as a hawker centre. Meanwhile, sometime in the 1990's an application to develop the two centre plots (31210 & 31211) into 12-storey high-rise service apartments and commercial was approved by DBKL. See Figure 2.

PRESENT STATUS
More recently, there is a change in ownership of the two centre plots and the new owners applied to DBKL for a change to mixed development comprising two 20-storey blocks, which came up against strong objections from neighbouring residents. But as a result of the strong objections, the new application for 20-storey blocks had been rejected.

LOCAL PLAN RECOMMENDATION
The Local Plan has designated plots 31210 and 31211 as commercial. But the earlier approval for 12-story blocks is still valid.

COMMENTS & POSSIBLE ACTION
DBKL has said that the owner of plots 31210 and 31211 can still go ahead with the previously approved 12-storey proposal. However, bearing in mind that its about 10 years' since its approval, a new traffic study is justified. And the design of the two blocks must have sufficient set back from existing Lrg Burhanuddin Helmi 1 residents.

FURTHERMORE, WE WOULD WANT THE SHOPLOTS IN THE RAHIM KAJAI AREA, THE TWO PETROL STATION SITES, AS WELL AS THE SHOPLOTS IN JALAN DATUK SULAIMAN TO BE CHANGED TO "NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMERCIAL CENTRE" WHICH HAS A SMALLER RANGE OF POSSIBILITIES COMPARED TO JUST "COMMERCIAL".

HISTORY & BACKGROUND
This triangular plot behind the Balai Polis complex was originally meant for a community sewage treatment plant for the Burhanuddin Helmi area. However, with the centralization of sewage treatment in TTDI, this plant was no longer needed, and the plot had been left as a green all these years. See Figure 2.

LOCAL PLAN RECOMMENDATION
In the Local plan, this plot is designated as Private Institutional.

COMMENTS & POSSIBLE ACTION
We are of the opinion that this plot is not suitable for private institutional development. The only access is via Lrg Burhanuddin Helmi 3 and 4 which already serves many residential houses.

WE WANT THIS PLOT TO REMAIN AS GREEN OPEN SPACE.

PRESENT STATUS
Part of this whole plot designated as Pusat Komunit TTDI houses the present Pusat Komunit TTDI and the rest is green open space. See Figure 3.

LOCAL PLAN RECOMMENDATION
The Local Plan recommends that the whole plot be designated as Pusat Komuniti TTDI.

COMMENTS & POSSIBLE ACTION
The long suffering residents of Lrg Burhanuddin Helmi 8 had seen the construction of a full-sized library, a community centre and a futsal court at their doorsteps in spite of initial objections to the projects. They would not want any more projects being proposed here to take up anymore green open space.

IT IS GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT THE REMAINING GREEN OPEN SPACE SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS GREEN OPEN SPACE AND REMAIN AS SUCH.

HISTORY & BACKGROUND
This is the long stretch of land between the old Jalan Damansara and Desa Kiara Condo. In the past, there were nurseries as well as car repair and re-spraying services located here. But now the whole area has been hoarded up. See Figure 4.

PRESENT STATUS
It is understood that there is an application before DBKL to develop this long piece of land into a high-rise mixed development comprising both residential and commercial units. When we last checked, approval of the development is still pending.

Such a high density development is sure to have an impact on the surrounding areas, and it is not surprising that Damansara Kim residents just across the road are objecting strongly to this

LOCAL PLAN RECOMMENDATION
In the Local Plan this land is recommeded as Commercial.

COMMENTS & POSSIBLE ACTION
It is in our interest to work with the residents of Damansara Kim and Desa Kiara Condo to reduce the density of development to reduce adverse impacts and traffic congestion problems.

Around the same time as the setting up of KLGCC and the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club, seven plots of land near the Bukit Kiara Park were being offerred to NGO's. To date, WIM and BAKTI had completed and are operating from their buildings here. It is understood that more NGO's will start construction of their headquarters here soon.

PRESENT STATUS
As it is, with the SKTTDI (2) and the Taman Lembah Kiara located nearby, this Jalan Abang Hj Openg is already very congested. This congestion is serious enough for DBKL to enforce a one-way road system from 7:00 - 9:00am and 12:00 noon -2:00pm around the SKTTDI.

With more NGO's developing their buildings here, the traffic situation can only get worse, especially with cars being parked along Jalan Abang Hj Openg.

WE PROPOSE THAT A NEW ACCESS ROAD BE PROVIDED BETWEEN THE TWO ROWS OF LAND PLOTS, AND NO DIRECT ACCESS BE ALLOWED FROM JALAN ABANG HJ OPENG. See Figure 5.

Well, the above is a summary of the discussion held earlier on Sunday 15 June. The TTDI RA welcomes further feedback and comments from all residents.
Address your feedback/comments/suggestions to the Chairman
email: externalsc@ttdi-ra.com.my