COMMENT | Residents’ emphatic win against power and deep pockets

COMMENT | It may have been a Pyrrhic victory. Besides the costs, the time and great effort put into this by residents and friends of Taman Rimba Kiara in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), the group of like-minded lawyers, were worthwhile indeed.

The proverbial David slayed Goliath in the highest court in the land – the Federal Court. Its decision has serious consequences for the many incidences of the nexus between local authorities and developers.

There have been a number of cases where the local authorities ignored laws and conventions and pretended these don’t exist so that a few can profit at the expense of the people.

This decision should empower more people to take to task imperious decisions and those who ride roughshod over their duty to the residents. 

The court noted that the mayor of Kuala Lumpur had complete control and discretion in determining whether to grant planning permission. His decision is final – ultimate unless challenged in a court of law. This conversely interpreted, extends to the heads of all local authorities....