27-12-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) Fourteen terrace house owners in Taman Desa have received compensation totalling RM6 million from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for portions of their properties utilised in the construction of Jalan Taman Bukit Desa.
The settlement, which marks the end of a contentious battle over land rights, saw property owner Datuk Edmund Lim receiving the highest compensation of approximately RM1 million. Other affected residents received payments ranging between RM350,000 and RM950,000, with amounts determined based on individual land measurements and current market valuations.
The dispute gained prominence in 2022 when Lim took decisive action by blocking access to a section of the road in protest. The controversy centred around 21 lots along Jalan Taman Bukit Desa, where a developer’s miscalculation resulted in the unauthorised appropriation of private land, including 1,009 square feet belonging to Lim.
Speaking about the resolution, Lim expressed mixed feelings about the outcome. “Whilst the return of my land would have been my preferred outcome, I acknowledge that monetary compensation was the most practical solution available,” he said. “There’s a sense of relief that we can finally put this matter behind us.”
The settlement comes after extensive legal proceedings, with DBKL formally endorsing the compensation package and finalising the land acquisition process under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act 1960. This resolution sets a precedent for similar cases and underscores the importance of proper land surveying and development planning in urban areas.
