After more than four decades of uncertainty, the Bukit Kiara Longhouse community is finally set to receive replacement homes with the launch of a long-awaited housing development project.
Hannah Yeoh, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), made the announcement, highlighting this milestone as the result of years of negotiations among residents, environmental groups, community representatives, and government agencies.
A Promise Delayed for Decades
The Bukit Kiara Longhouse issue has been ongoing for over 40 years, originating from promises made to residents for replacement housing. Unfortunately, these plans remain unresolved, leaving generations of residents waiting for a permanent solution.
The situation has grown more complex over the years, as it involves not only housing rights but also concerns about the future of Taman Rimba Kiara, a vital green space in Kuala Lumpur.
Housing Needs Versus Environmental Concerns
The dispute gained national attention when redevelopment plans near Taman Rimba Kiara faced opposition from environmental groups and nearby residents. While the longhouse residents sought the homes that had long been promised to them, conservation advocates argued that large-scale development would threaten the park’s ecological value and diminish public green space. Ultimately, the issue went through legal proceedings and was decided at the Federal Court level.
Hannah Yeoh stated the efforts was since 2018 where it was focused on finding a solution that would protect the welfare of resident and the preservation of Taman Rimba Kiara.
What the Final Agreement Includes
Hannah Yeoh outlined several key points of the final agreement:
- Residents of the Bukit Kiara Longhouse will receive the replacement homes that have long been promised to them.
- Development will be restricted to an area of only 5.76 acres.
- The remaining land will be returned to the government and designated as Public Open Space.
- The replacement homes will be constructed and completed first, allowing residents to move directly into their new homes without the need for temporary relocation.
- A joint audit involving Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Friends of Bukit Kiara (FOBK), and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) will be conducted to ensure the proper management, preservation, and protection of trees within the development area.
- The existing temple site will be preserved and officially designated as a Non-Muslim Place of Worship (RIBI).
- The number of parking bays for Taman Rimba Kiara will be increased from 80 to 150.
Hannah Yeoh announced a resolution for Bukit Kiara Longhouse residents, resulting from extensive discussions with stakeholders, including the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Residents’ Association and government agencies. She expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the MADANI government for their support in aligning the solution with the Federal Court’s decision.
On 15 June 2026, groundbreaking ceremony for the permanent housing project for Bukit Kiara Longhouse residents took place. The event was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Dato’ Seri Ramanan, Minister of Human Resoruces also attended the event showing support to the Bukit Kiara residents.
The resolution, which marks the end of a 44-year wait for residents, exemplifies how housing needs, environmental conservation, and social justice can be balanced through collaboration. Longhouse representative Sivakumar Muniandy was acknowledged for his efforts over the past eight years in pursuing this fair resolution.
Source: Hannah Yeoh Facebook
