USJ and Subang Heights - A Tale of two communities

[pcyeoh]

For those 100 people who attended this afternoon meeting, they have to fight one hell of a battle first before they sat down opposite each other with their swords drawn at precisely 3.14pm. The time of the meeting kept changing so often even at the last minutes that you need a PDA to keep track of it. The Subang Heights people organised themselves so well that they planted their people even on our side. They don't need a trojan horse to do it.

At precisely 3.14 pm, the deputy YDP of MPSJ, En Ghani apologised for YDP Mohd Arif Ab Rahman who was called by the State secretary on an urgent matter. Present were the ADUN of Subang Jaya, Dato Lee Hwa Beng and the Political Secretary to the MP for Shah Alam. Conspicuously absent are the Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia and the JKR. The Press were there in full force including 'The Alternative News." With all the formalities done with in the first 10 minutes, Dato Lee then briefed those present the history of the case. The key point he wanted to stress was when this 'war zone' was under the Subang Jaya state constituency way back in 1995, he thought the controversial flyover would unite the predominantly Malay community with the Chinese majority Subang Jaya/USJ community. But with the electoral de-alienation happening in 2003, situation have changed when this portion became part of Shah Alam. On hind thought he also realised that with this flyover built, it will negate all his efforts of improving the traffic situation in SJ/USJ. And he concluded that "As the wakil rakyat for them, I have to voice their views."

Mr Gilbert Yeoh, the Jawatan Kuasa Penduduk (JKP) Chairman for Zon 2 which encompasses USJ 2 - USJ 7 which USJ 3A,B,C and D also fall within was next to speak. He wasted no time to tell those present that it is not only the 3A,B,C and D who are against the flyover. He said he personally turun padang and heard that for himself that the residents elsewhere under his care and concern also voiced their support to him to object strongly. His concern is with the influx of this additional unwarranted traffic, the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan USJ 12 with a student population of 1500 and the Sekolah Kebangsaan USJ 12 another 1,200 will be the ones to suffer most. As it is now, the road in front of both schools are 'literally breathing for air.' Many concerned parents feared for the safety of their children as Jalan Setia is the only exit road for those gigantic trailers transporting Proton cars and other huge trucks from the nearby industrial zone.

Mr PC Yeoh, the Chairman of JKP Zon 3 covering USJ 8 - USJ 15 was next in line to speak.Basically, he pointed out that residents of SJ/USJ have always been very consistent in all their objection with regards to new highways bringing traffic into this community. If this community has to make more sacrifices or compromises than it stands to benefit, then it will say NO to such highway. And this point was re emphasised by Mr P Jayan, the President of the USJ Residents' Association who said most probably Subang Jaya and USJ is the only community in the country that has road works throughout the year for 12 years running as much as he could recollect. He said "Enough is enough." He reiterated that from the Jalan Usaha experience where the Local Council could do nothing to stop heavy vehicles from plying this residential road, he would not trust that they could do it for this new proposed link. "I hate to say this but history will repeat itself here. The best alternative solution is gain access directly to the Kesas Expressway and as what PC has said earlier, you get to go to anywhere else in the country."

Rusman, the newly elected Chairman of the Protem Committee of the USJ 3ABCD Residents' Association took the mike next. He is the man who rallied the community to fight vehemently against this flyover. For Rusman, he believe in "Say whatever you want to say, so long as you let the photos do the talking". His few photographs did all the talking for him when explicit photos of various areas in USJ choked with traffic congestion went on screen. He presented the following points in his Powerpoint presentation.

1) USJ 3ABCD house buyers were not told about this proposed flyover.

2) Its current domestic noise pollution problem has not be addressed satisfactorily by both SIME UEP and MPSJ and with this link, it will get only worse and not any better.

3) The additional traffic will pose safety hazards to school-going children of SMK USJ12 and the SK USJ 12 (total enrolment estimated at 2,700 students) where the current traffic situation at Jalan Setia is already chaotic

4) It will bring in more heavy vehicles from Batu Tiga Hi-Tech Industrial Estate to enter into Jln Setia/Jln Tujuan stretch.

5) This problem is not only confined to 3ABCD only but the rest of the USJ community.

He then proposed that instead of building this flyover, the traffic instead should be directly channeled into The KESAS Expressway which will then get them connected to the rest of the major highway such as LDP, NPE and the NKVE. In this way, it will not clog up the already badly congested roads in Subang Jaya and USJ.

Shawn, the Subang Heights' representative then spoke. The gist of of his proposal can be summarised as follows

1) Subang Heights current only access to the world is via Jalan Jubli Perak first passing thru the tunnel (must be bad chi) fight space with heavy vehicles, avoiding potholes and on rainy days FLOOODS.

2) This flyover has already being approved way back in 2000 and in the Selangor Structural Plan is indicated as such. The approval is part of the development order conditions for both SIME UEP and Berjaya to comply in order to get a CF.

3) The developers have started with the 4 way carriage way which was simultaneously built and Berjaya has contributed RM 2.5 million as their share of the bargain.

4) Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia (LLM) has approved in principle this project.

5) Two similar links built over the Kesas Expressway at SS 19 and SS 14 proved the point that it can be done.

6) There is no requirement to call for a public hearing as there is no addition to the area requiring approval.

7) The traffic congestion in SJ/USJ is caused by mass housing the fact too many people chose to buy their houses here. It is also coupled with the fact there are only 2 exit points which have created a bottleneck effect. The effect of which is due to accident, rain, breakdown of traffic lights, illegal parking, queue cutting and endless roadworks

To conclude, we would like to tell you good neighbours that

1) We are not your enemy but your neighbours. We live in Subang Jaya
2) We love Subang Jaya too
3) We are against heavy vehicles.
4) We are all for the safety of school children too.
5) We also pay our taxes and MPSJ assessment
6) The Link bridge is just for Subang Heights residents who will only benefit when the whole area is fully developed.
7) This link adds as another alternative connectivity which will alleviate the traffic congestion in Subang Jaya.
8) Your property will immediately appreciate in value
9) The link benefits all parties

When the proceeding is opened to the floor, equal number of people from both sides took the floor. But the one who took the cheese is the person who posed the question "If there is no second link, what happens if the original access suffers a disaster? Don't you think this second link will be useful?" There was this lady lawyer who said "The Subang Heights people will definitely sue the authority for changing its mind. You would not want us to sue MPSJ which means the losing of taxpayer's money?" Another said that "here we have two willing developers who are willing to foot the bill of this link. If we say no now, we would have missed the opportunity to build this link for free."

To end it all, Dato Lee then suggested that at the next meeting ten representatives from each side will be invited to hear the decision and why it is made and the unsatisfied party can still object. There were objection by the Subang Heights people who questioned about when this is coming to an end when in the first place it was already a done deal. With no answer forthcoming the meeting ended as this is merely a hearing to hear things out.

[pcyeoh]

Residents of USJ



Subang Heights residents



More Subang Heights residents



Subang Heights with USJ Residents



The Bench.



Dato Lee and the Press


USJRA Secretary and the Press

[pcyeoh]

The Metro Star Monday October 3, 2005

No headway at public hearing on flyover
By ELAN PERUMAL

A PUBLIC hearing, held to get feedback from residents of USJ and Subang Heights on a proposed flyover, ended in a deadlock recently.



The two-hour meeting, chaired by Subang Jaya Muncipal Council deputy president Abdul Ghani Salleh and attended by Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, saw residents leaving the meeting room frustrated.



While Subang Heights residents want the RM20mil flyover that links their residential area to USJ3ABC and D, folks from USJ3ABC and D and nearby neighbourhoods are against it.

USJ residents said the project, which is being jointly undertaken by Sime UEP and Selat Makmur Sdn Bhd, will only add to the existing traffic congestion in Subang Jaya.

Subang Heights residents, on the other hand, want the flyover so that they need not take a longer route to their housing estate.

“It is the responsibility of the developer to provide us a direct access route and we want the flyover built soon,” shouted one resident during the hearing.

The USJ Residents Association had proposed that the flyover be built directly between Subang Heights and Kesas Highway.

Residents from both areas had also asked the council not to delay the matter any further and hoped a decision could be made soon.

Lee said the council would be making its stand on the matter at next month’s full board meeting.

“We will call the residents to inform them of the decision,”he said.


http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story...06&sec=central

[Teeque]

Longer route? Direct access route? From where? To where?

Well, from wherever in Malaysia and to wherever in Malaysia, isnt Kesas the best route if they are staying in SH. Unless these people are not staying there? Aaahhh, do I see an ulterior motive here?? Udang di sebalik batu...

[pcyeoh]

This came to me via email so I thought I want to share this with you. If you are for the flyover, I will still publish them here.

Dear Residents,

I was at the meeting and was wondering why the person seated next to me kept
on saying "Yeah, he (Shawn) is right...". Now I know. He must be a Subang Heights resident and was planted in midst of USJ residents!! I am a resident of USJ18 and contrary to Subang Heights' representatives assertion, Yes, all USJ residents will be affected if the flyover is built. They may say that it because I have vested interest my daughter is studying in SMK USJ12. Honestly, have anyone of you seen those children who walk to and from school lugging those heavy bags crossing the roads?? Subang Heights representatives suggested that we use the back lane to drop children off. Can anyone please tell me where is the back lane?

Shawn said we brought on the road congestion on ourselves because we have
2/3 cars. I am pretty sure the same is true for Subang Heights residents. He said we are selfish. YES, YES, YES. I am selfish enough to want safety for all road users especially children who study there and live nearby. Yes, I am selfish enough to want to have a respite once in every while from traffic jams. Yes, I am selfish enough to NOT to subject residents of USJ12, 3 and 4 the daily congestion like Jalan Usaha (in fact the link will only worsen). Do you know that it takes me more than half an hour to get home from USJ4 because of the heavy traffic at Jalan Usaha? Sometimes I find using the Persiaran Kewajipan is faster.

I have friends whose business clients who can't wait for the bridge to be built and open so that they can just shoot across from Shah Alam. We can envisage the flood of heavy vehicles running along. Honest to goodness, anyone with the right mind would not buy property which has only one access, without proper infrastructure and put the hopes on developers' promises. As one person puts it, why do developers' often use "easy access to USJ/Subang Jaya"? That is the only way they can have buyers for their properties!!

Put aside our greed to raise the price of our properties and look at the overall picture. I am not against development but what price we are paying? Stress on the road, etc... Another link would only make easy escape for criminals too.

By the way, this proposed flyover is not widely known by residents even in USJ3. Maybe a banner should be put up at strategic spots. Not everyone reads the website or have the benefit of a computer. By the time they read in the papers, it may be too late!!!

God bless.
Clare

[pcyeoh]

“This must be child labour of the highest order. No it it is not. We are training them from young so that when this generation retires, this new generation will fight on. You never know when they will build it.



This girl has a message for all “Good Homes but Lousy Roads” And she is right if the Link is built.



Dato Lee Hwa Beng, the seasoned politician busy speaking to Bernama. On the far right is Dr Zam Zam, the Chairman of JKP Zon 1 (the whole of Subang Jaya) and next to Dr Zam Zam is En Abdul Jalil, the Vice President of the Subang Jaya Senior Citizens Club.



“Is he the latest Hong Kong canto- pop singer being mobbed by the girls or is it YB Loh Seng Kok, the Member of Parliament for Kelana Jaya?” Should the issue remains unresolved at state level, YB Loh will be our trump card to bring it up to Parliament.



“I have a very strong feeling that someone is placarding behind my back.” P. Jayan, the President of the USJ Residents Association. He said that the USJRA is conducting this signature campaign to show the authority that it is not only the immediate residents of USJ 3A,B,C and D who are against the Batu 3 link but the whole of USJ and Subang Jaya too. “Enough is enough to the horrendous traffic jams in our township.”



Dato Lee asked “By the way, can one of you show me what is this petition all about?”

USJ 3A resident putting up his sign, “Nah Dato, it says “No to Flyover.”

P. Jayan, USJRA President feeling impatient, “Hurry up Dato, I am next in line.”

YB Loh, MP for Kelana Jaya, “Hey this guy in red shirt still can’t make up his mind “To sign or not to sign.”



Mr. Teng Chang Khim, a lawyer by profession and also the ADUN for Sungai Pinang in Bandar Klang signed as a resident in USJ 3. Teng is also the Deputy Chairman of the Selangor DAP. “This is not a party issue between DAP and Barisan Nasional but it is about the people who are united against the link and I see no reason why we cannot be seen together for a common cause.”

[pcyeoh]

Tuan Syed Shahir Mohamud, the Chairperson of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat Kelana Jaya Division. He contested here as a Keadilan candidate in the last election and though he lost, he didn’t forget about the community. He came to support the call by the residents of USJ to stop the proposed bridge. By the way, Tuan Syed Shahir is also the President of the Malaysian Trade Union Congress.


Vice President of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Sivarasa Rasiah came to pen his support as he says “To ignore this demand by the residents of USJ & Subang Jaya would be tantamount to endorsing irrational planning and non-sustainable development and would be against the principles set by the Local Agenda 21 that MPSJ claims to be a role model of.”



No, this lady in green is not from PAS. She is a typical resident who is strongly against the link and she wants to say “Tak nak to the Batu 3 link into USJ” And she was joined by about 248 others that morning. From here, the petition will travel far and wide to garner support of the USJ and Subang Jaya community on how serious the residents are. They have enough traffic jam. “Our primary concern is the worsening of traffic conditions and the safety of the children,”



Jason BH Lee, a “Tak nak Batu 3 Link into USJ 3” activist said, “It does not matter whether you are in the ruling party or opposition....we should speak in one voice! Today, we can see that all political parties have the same stance...that means the objection to the flyover cannot be wrong!! What is important is that the voice of the majority must be heard...not the interest of some speculators.



The aims and aspiration of our political struggle is to protect the natural environment from damage, avoid pollution whilst enhancing the quality of the environment and ensure that development is sustainable. Therefore, we say “NO” to more traffic into USJ and Subang Jaya and Stop the Batu 3 link into USJ”


Even this car is demonstrating. While others cried out to their elected representatives and sympathisers, this car is crying out for Kayveas. It thinks that if this guy dares to hit out at local governments for lacking in both transparency and accountability and calls them ‘Secret Societies,’ this guy must have balls and have no fear or favours therefore can help in this issue.



Thank you to this lot of people, the unsung heroes who brings the news to the breakfast tables of all Malaysians. They are the ones who believe in "Say whatever you want to say, so long as you let the photos do the talking.” Hopefully, their works will be our sight and sound ambassadors to the homes of all Malaysians.

[jasonbhlee]

Yeoh...if you ever lose your present job, I'm sure you can easily find a job being a reporter.......also nice photography....

[PeterHng]

The following letter appreared in Malaysiakini today ...

Taxpayers at the mercy of bulldozing authorities
Dr Chris Anthony
Oct 11, 05 4:52pm


I refer to the article USJ Flyover: Residents launch signature campaign.

It was rather distressing to read that the USJ residents have to organise a signature campaign to stop the building of a flyover linking Batu 3 to USJ 3.

Such measures - which are futile in most cases - are fashionable these days. Morever they are the only means available to simple peace-loving citizens. When problems arise, we are left alone to take on the might of the authorities. Where are our ‘wakil rakyat’?

The USJ residents' fear of heavy traffic resulting in jams and fatal accidents are real and genuine. This is especially so when the roads are abused by bullies and heavy vehicles who ultimately take control of the roads and highways.

Nowadays, drivers of heavy vehicles even bring home their lorries and trailers to be parked in residential areas which I understand are out of bounds to heavy motor vehicles.

The average citizen in Malaysia has to work hard for many years to finally own a house in an area which the developer claims to be the best in the world. He settles down with his loved ones and calls it his home. He manages to build a community and learns to live in harmony with his neighbours.

Suddenly, one day he realises that the authorities have decided to build a highway or flyover passing just adjacent to his home. How and who approved the construction remains a mystery.

What can a poor taxpayer do? If we take the issue up with the local authorities, there is nobody who will listen. When we protest publicly, the minister in charge angrily tells us: "If you all do not want roads and highways then travel by bullock cart".

Instead of reassuring and trying to solve the problem in a mature and amicable manner, the authorities bulldoze through their plans with force.

It is sad that the rights of innocent, peace-loving citizens are blatantly abused.

Until our wakil rakyat and public servants realise that they are there by us and for us, we as ordinary citizens can only keep on making noise which will only fall on deaf ears.

[Teeque]

This why we need local council elections and hv elected wakil rakyats to represent us, the ratepayers and residents. For now, the 'wakil rakyats' exist only to serve their paymasters, which is the State MB.

[AirMarshall]

Just to give some depth to the argument,
Mayb the authorities want to link up the dead end road into Kesas Highway, instead of the road passing in front of the schools of USJ12 ?





Foto courtesy of GoggleEarth

[pcyeoh]

Below was received from Raymond Tan on what was reported by the Malay Mail.


Malay Mail: 10 October 2005
Subang Jaya folk against flyover project

A flyover link which will run along Jalan Persiaran Setia near USJ12 has got more than 38,000 residents in Subang Jaya riled up.

They have launched a signature campaign urging the authorities to reconsider the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ)'s plan.

They said it will create problems for the entire USJ and Subang Jaya township.

Instead, they are proposing that a slip road from Subang Heights (a neighbourhood with 300 bungalow lots), be built directly into Kesas Highway near Ebor Toll Plaza in Shah Alam.

This will allow motorists to enter their destinations from that highway, bypassing the USJ3 neighbourhood. So far, 243 people have signed.

USJ Residents Association president P. Jayan said if the link into USJ3 is constructed, it will cause noise and dust pollution, bottlenecks between Persiaran Setia and Persetiaan Tujuan (the main road) and congestion at USJ 12 where two schools are located.

He said those to be badly hit will be some 700 residents living in USJ3A, USJ3B, USJ3C and USJ3D, plus 3,000 students.

"The current traffic situation in Subang Jaya and USJ is horrendous and should the authorities go ahead with the bridge, it will only aggravate the traffic problem here."

The residents had expressed their objection at two public hearings organised by MPSJ on Aug 22 and Sept 28.

"We are still in the dark over the authorities' latest stand," he said.

Subang Jaya State Assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said the project was approved seven years ago when there were no residents living in the areas in question.

"Now things have changed. The flyover link is unsuitable for the area as it will generate traffic and noise that will disrupt the peace. I will state my objection to MPSJ," Lee said.

[pcyeoh]

Malay Mail: 11 October 2005
Objections to proposed flyover: Council to meet developers

The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) will call for a meeting between the township's two main developers to discuss the proposed flyover on Jalan Persiaran Setia in Subang Jaya.

The proposal has met with objections from the USJ Residents Association which claimed that it would only worsen the traffic situation.

Council president Mohd Arif Ab Rahman said yesterday that MPSJ will hold a meeting next week with Sime UEP and the Berjaya Group, the two developers affected by the project.

"We would like to obtain their views. Any changes that may be made to the project will affect them and it is only fair that we get their opinions," he said.

Mohd Arif said that following the meeting, MPSJ will meet its legal advisers to discuss its options.

"It is a complicated situation. Firstly, we had approved the project and thus are bound to honour the agreement with the developers," he said.

"On the other hand, we are also obliged to listen to the residents. Both parties are justified in their protests. At this point, we cannot say who is wrong or right."

On the residents' suggestion that a slip road be built from Subang Heights to the Kesas Highway, Mohd Arif said the plan had been discussed earlier.

"However, that proposal was shot down by one of the utility companies involved," he said.

"Nevertheless, it is still something that we will have to consider."

Yesterday, The Malay Mail highlighted Subang Jaya residents' protests.

They argued that if the link to USJ3 goes ahead, it will cause noise and dust pollution, bottlenecks between Persiaran Setia and Persetiaan Tujuan, and congestion at USJ12 where two schools are located.

Among those badly affected will be about 700 residents of USJ3A, USJ3B, USJ3C and USJ3D, plus some 3,000 students.

The residents have also launched a signature campaign to protest against the move, and have so far collected 250 signatures.