Final notice to remove illegal barriers at Tmn Desa

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Kuala Lumpur City Hall has issued a final seven-day order for the Taman Desa Phase 1 Residents Association to remove unauthorized barriers and facial-recognition equipment installed on public roads, citing a lack of required approvals and resident consent. This enforcement is part of a broader citywide review of guarded neighbourhood schemes to ensure compliance with legal standards, with noncompliance leading to forced removal by authorities.

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has issued a final seven-day notice to the Taman Desa Phase 1 Residents Association (TDP1RA) to remove unauthorised barriers and facial-recognition equipment installed on public roads within the neighbourhood. The enforcement officers posted six notices under Section 46(1)(a) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 during a visit to the area yesterday morning.

This action comes as DBKL prepares to initiate a citywide regularisation exercise aimed at reviewing guarded neighbourhood schemes to ensure they comply with current regulations and PLANMalaysia guidelines. The move follows the expiration of an earlier two-week deadline on September 10, which the association did not meet.

Muhammad Azri Abdul Aziz, director of DBKL’s Urban Transportation Department, said the latest directive was issued after consultations with the Federal Territories Lands and Mines Office (PTGWP), as well as feedback from police and the Fire and Rescue Department. “All three agencies agreed that the obstructions must be removed because they were installed without approval," he stated. He added that failure to comply within the seven-day period would result in DBKL stepping in to remove the structures.

Earlier, on August 27, DBKL enforcement officers affixed red notices to facial-recognition scanners at Guard Posts 1 and 4 and placed yellow enforcement tape around the scanners and boom-gate equipment. These notices, issued under Section 70 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974, stated that the installations lacked approval from the Kuala Lumpur mayor.

When questioned about the possibility of reconsideration should the association submit a petition demonstrating public support, Muhammad Azri emphasized the legal requirements. He explained that a guarded neighbourhood scheme requires at least 81% resident consent, while the use of automatic boom gates with facial recognition demands 100% consent. “Regardless of any petition, we must still assess the scheme according to the law,” he said.

The tension between DBKL and TDP1RA is part of a prolonged dispute over road closures and access restrictions related to the neighbourhood’s guarded scheme. DBKL had previously sent several letters demanding the association to bring the scheme into compliance. On August 18, the city ordered the reopening of Guard Posts 2, 5, and 6 to vehicles, removal of unapproved structures, and restoration of access to affected public roads.

Local residents have voiced opposition to the barriers. On August 24, more than 40 residents, mainly aged 50 and above, protested the restricted access at Guard Post 5 on Jalan Desa Ria. They argued the closure forced early-morning walkers to take longer routes along busier roads to reach a public park. Additionally, privacy concerns were raised about the facial-recognition system, and warnings were issued about potential delays to emergency vehicles caused by the barriers.

The association’s president, Frank Yeh, has maintained that TDP1RA followed the required procedures and secured the necessary 81% support from residents. However, he did not respond to requests for comment following the latest enforcement actions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.