KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Some 100 residents from five housing
estates gathered at the Taman Nirwana Muhibbah Complex today to submit a
memorandum to protest the proposed Ken City project near their homes.
The group comprising residents from Taman Nirwana, Taman Cempaka, Taman
Dagang, Taman Putra Sulaiman and Kampung Pandan staged a protest for about two
hours before handing a memorandum to Pandan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Ong
Tee Keat.
When met by reporters, Ong said the residents had long disapproved of the
project comprising two blocks of 16-storey apartment buildings but were not
given any solution by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and the Selangor
state government.
"Although the matter has been brought up several times to Cempaka state
assemblyman and Selangor Housing, Building Management and Squatters exco member
Iskandar Samad, no action has been taken and the project has continued," he
said.
Ong claimed the project has been going on since November 2009 without the
knowledge and approval of local residents.
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RESIDENT-MEMORANDUM 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
"We residents want to know why the project was approved. This area is prone
to traffic congestion and has a poor drainage system which causes flash floods,"
he added.
Ong said the residents were not anti-development but wished to voice their
opinion on the site for business purposes.
"The Selangor Economic Action Council (MTES) needs to make the right
decision and the state government must not view this issue lightly. Public
hearings must be conducted correctly and fairly," he said.
Residents also questioned action by the Selangor government in changing the
area''s original plan from development of shop lots to an apartment.
According to Taman Nirwana Residents'' Committee chairman M. Thomas, 57, once
the apartment was completed, the area''s density in population would increase and
disrupt the peace currently enjoy.
Ong and other residents hoped the project developer would discuss an
amicable solution with them.
The Ken City project by Seri Seltra was opposed by residents from Taman
Nirwana, Taman Cempaka, Taman Dagang, Taman Putra Sulaiman and Kampung Pandan
since April 2010.
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PKAR PABJ HS IZ JRL