Post date: Sep 27, 2010 2:11:8 PM
RESIDENTS and traders near the Rubber Research Institute Malaysia in Sungai Buloh hope the proposed housing development will be holistic so that it will be a boon, not a bane.
Many are worried that the development will worsen the traffic congestion in the nearest township, Kota Damansara,
They are also concerned about the social and environmental impact of the development set to replace a huge swathe of green lung measuring 1,348ha.
They think it is imperative for the government and developer to be transparent throughout the process to allow the people to have their say in what is going to affect their quality of life.
Some also commented that the housing projects to be developed by the Federal government and the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) should be made accessible to EPF contributors.
Friends of Kota Damansara co-chairman Jeffrey Phang said residents should be informed about the project and meetings must be held.
“As usual, residents are not given any information on the project so far. We hope the planning and execution can be carried out in an open manner so that the project benefits all.
“If we are kept in the dark and then hold protests when we find out about the problems, that will be a waste of everyone’s time,” he added.
Selangor MCA chairman Datuk Donald Lim said he was confident that the project would improve the quality of life and boost the country’s economy.
“It is a common phenomenon in major cities all over the world. When cities become overcrowded, we have to move away from the area.
“Given the project’s proximity to the Subang airport, it will become an attractive business centre especially to foreign investors. The only concern is that we need to improve the area’s public transportation,” he added.
Subang MP R. Sivarasa’s aide Peter Chong urged the parties involved to be transparent.
“We would like to know what transpired between the developers and land owners since this involved an institutional land. We do not stop development but the people should be informed about what is happening.
“Workers will be displaced and their welfare must be safeguarded. Also, houses to be built on the land must be within reach of the public, not just the rich,” he added.
Kota Damansara assemblyman Dr Mohd Nasir Hashim said the people wanted holistic development that would not worsen the traffic, social and infrastructure problems in the bustling neighbourhoods surrounding RRIM Sungai Buloh.
“Kota Damansara is already notorious for crime, traffic congestion and flooding and development of such a scale in Sungai Buloh will have a huge impact on the nearby areas.
“It is also taking away a large green area and we want the development to be as green as possible,” he said.
He added that the project, even though was a joint venture between the Federal government and EPF, must be monitored closely with the involvement of the people.
“People should be allowed to have their say on the project through objection hearings conducted by the Shah Alam City Council. The council must keep a watchful eye because they, as well as the state government, will have to take care of the problems arising from this project in the future.
“The state government would question the project if it feels that the development is not conducive,” he added.
Members of the Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Landscaping and Nursery Operators Association in Sungai Buloh were worried that their business might fade out after the development.
More than 40 nurseries have been operating along Jalan Sungai Buloh-Subang for 11 years now but faced Temporary Occupancy Licence (TOL) issues when the Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS) withdrew from the Selangor Greenland project. They also faced problems with traffic and infrastructure.
“We face so many problems ever since the road was upgraded to a busy dual carriageway. What will happen to us when such a massive development takes place?” asked association president Lee Chee Hoong.
Lee said the association hoped that the government would set aside a plot of land within the proposed development as a hub for the 100-over nurseries in Sungai Buloh.
“We can turn it into a business platform that generates income through trading and tourism,” he said.
Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Furniture Association president Richard Ko hoped that the proposed development could complement the furniture industry that had been contributing significantly to the country’s export.
“Many furniture factories in Kampung Baru Sungai Buloh (near the rubber plantation) occupy illegal buildings because it is still an agricultural land and that retards the growth of our industry.
“We had wanted to buy the RRIM land but since it had been offered to EPF, we hope the development can help us make the furniture industry grow further,” he said.