Despite having sent three letters seeking a meeting, the attempt by NGO Pertahankan Taman Merdeka Negara (PTMN) to discuss the controversial Warisan Merdeka Tower project with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Phesal Talib failed.

NONE Condemning the mayor as "unprofessional and immoral", PTMN chief Ishak Surin ( right ) said Ahmad Phesal did not respond to any of their letters.

Although Ahmad Phesal did not give his nod for a meeting, Ishak said they went ahead with their plan to go to the mayor's office today, as they had stated in their last letter to Ahmad Phesal.

"We just want to ask why the project is being carried out (without public consultation). We don't want to have an argument. But now, we can't even have a meeting!" Ishak said in a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) building.

As such, he suggested that Kuala Lumpur citizens should be able to elect their mayor directly, whereby the mayor would then be more responsive towards the people's demands.

However, Ishak said they were able to meet with a special assistant to Ahmad Phesal, who only wanted to be known as Aznan, for a 10-minute discussion.

Only four representatives from PTMN were allowed into the discussion, with the rest denied entrance to the mayor's office.

azlan According to Ishak, Aznan agreed to forward PTMN's request to invite the mayor for a public consultation meeting on March 9.

The PTMN delegation at the meeting consisted of deputy chief Thasleem Mohd Ibrahim, treasurer Danny Loo, and secretariat member Chai Chik Ying.

Meanwhile, Ishak has also announced that a fundraising event would be held to support the PTMN struggle.

On Jan 5, PTMN members and supporters had marched to Stadium Merdeka to launch the 'Say No to 118-storey Mega Tower' campaign to oppose the construction of the Warisan Merdeka tower.

They urged for the return of the now-demolished Taman Merdeka park, as well as the surrounding area, to be declared a national heritage site.

Malaysiakini is currently seeking Ahmad Phesal's comments on the matter.

azlan