KUALA LUMPUR – Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has assured residents of Taman Tiara Titiwangsa that their concerns will be considered before a 2.41-acre plot of land next to SK Setapak is leased to any party.
This follows reports that the land, originally earmarked for SK Setapak under the Draft Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (KLLP2040), is now being considered for lease to an event management company, raising concerns about the future of the students, including those with special needs.
SK Setapak, one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest schools with a 130-year history, currently serves 500 students, 80 of whom have special needs.
Speaking to Scoop, Nik Nazmi, who is also the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, said he is addressing the concerns of his constituents and working to find an immediate solution.
“The land was applied for according to the rental process for government land. I have met with residents and parents who voiced their concerns, and we are exploring ways to address these issues immediately, ensuring that they are considered before the lease is renewed,” said Nik Nazmi when contacted.
Previously, Taman Tiara Titiwangsa Residents Association (RA) committee member Sylvester Navaratnam urged DBKL, the Federal Territories Ministry, and the Education Ministry (MoE) to preserve the 2.41-acre land for its intended purpose.
Sylvester pointed out that if used properly, the land could accommodate 200 to 300 special needs students, providing them the care and education they deserve.
It is understood that many parents from Gombak, Genting Klang, Setapak, Wangsa Maju, and Setiawangsa – mainly from the B40 community – send their special needs children to SK Setapak because they cannot afford private school fees, which range from RM4,000 to RM5,000.
Sylvester, who is also a Federal Territory Residents Representative Council member, raised concerns over leasing government land to third parties, drawing parallels with the controversial alienation of police station reserve land in Taman Desa.
It was previously reported that the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Executive Committee approved an application to alienate police reserve land at Lot 54780 in Taman Desa to Sinar Mantap Sdn Bhd for the construction of flats.
According to the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) website, the Federal Lands Commissioner (PTP) is the registered proprietor of land owned by the federation and is responsible for federal reserve lands.
JKPTG manages these lands in conjunction with the relevant federal ministries or departments.
Currently, some alienated lands and federal reserve lands remain undeveloped, but the Federal Government may lease such land to qualified parties for periods ranging from three to 99 years.
For reserve land, the lease term may not exceed 21 years. In Sabah and Sarawak, the lease period ranges from one year to the duration of the lease granted to the PTP. — December 9, 2024