KUALA LUMPUR – Residents living near the Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) Edible Garden have raised concerns over what they describe as the growing commercialisation of the community space, citing worsening traffic congestion, parking problems and construction works close to their homes.
Those living along Lorong Burhanuddin Helmi 10 and 11 say activities at the garden have increasingly disrupted their daily lives, with some houses situated barely 15 feet from the site.
Resident Vincent Lim said the expansion of activities, including plans for a cafe and other facilities, had raised questions about noise, public safety and the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.
He said vehicles belonging to visitors frequently occupied the narrow residential roads, making it difficult for residents to access their homes.
“Sometimes people park one car here, one car there, leaving a small gap. So, for us to go in or come back from the other side, it is very difficult.
“Some even park in front of my house, partially blocking the entrance,” he told Scoop.
Lim also questioned the need for more commercial facilities at the garden, noting that a cafe was already operating nearby and public toilets were available at the community hall.
He said residents were particularly concerned about construction works being carried out without prior notification or consultation with those living in the vicinity.
“They just put up this so-called power distribution box here. Then they ran the piping underneath and tapped into the water supply. We were never informed about any of this,” he added.
He also sought clarification on the proposed cafe, including its seating capacity, operating arrangements and the nature of its agreement with the garden’s management.
Lim said residents had not been told whether a third party was involved in financing or operating the facilities, despite workers having been present at the site for several months.
“Nothing is being informed to us,” he stressed.
He also pointed to activities being organised at the garden, including sourdough-making and coffee appreciation sessions, saying these could draw more visitors to an area already struggling with limited parking.
Lim stressed that residents were not opposed to community gardening but questioned the scale and nature of the additional activities, given the site’s proximity to residential properties.
“Our children need to study, and we have to deal with the noise, smells and people coming in and out,” he said.
He claimed residents had made repeated attempts to engage the garden’s chairman and management over their complaints but had received little response.
According to Lim, the residents’ association had also previously approached the garden’s management to seek a resolution.
Separately, TTDI Residents’ Association president Abu Hafiz said the association had raised concerns with the community garden’s management, particularly over construction and the addition of structures at the site.
He said the original approval for the community garden was intended for gardening activities, with any additional structures requiring clearance from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), which owns the land.
“You don’t build and then ask for approval. You ask for approval and then build,” he told Scoop.
Abu Hafiz said DBKL had already cordoned off the toilet and another section where construction had taken place, with the garden’s management instructed to obtain the necessary approvals before proceeding with further work.
He also clarified that a structure residents believed to be an extension of the cafe was described by the garden’s management as an existing building that had been refurbished and extended.
However, he said the association was unsure whether the additional works, including the extension and cement flooring, had received the necessary clearance.
“They need to make it very clear because showing a letter that they applied is not the same as having an approval letter,” he explained.
Abu Hafiz said the association was also concerned about visitors using residential roads as an alternative access route to the garden.
“We told them to make sure they close the back entrance. The entrance to the community garden must go through the community hall, not from the back area, which involves the residential road.
“We don’t want people to simply park behind there and cause a nuisance to residents. Our concern is always the residents,” he said.
He added that the association had communicated its position to the garden’s management, leaving the latter to resolve any outstanding approval issues with DBKL.
Abu Hafiz stressed that any additional development must comply with the necessary requirements to prevent similar situations from arising at other community gardens in TTDI.
“We don’t want it to be seen as a land grab. I’m not saying it is, but it can be considered that way.
“If other community gardens hear about this, they could also take advantage. We don’t want that to happen,” he said.
Earlier, in a letter dated July 27 addressed to Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud, residents outlined several proposals to resolve the dispute.
The letter, signed by 61 residents, called on DBKL to investigate the use of Lot 31205, alleging that the site appeared to be increasingly used for commercial trading and sales by outside vendors rather than communal gardening activities. – November 11, 2026