Problems plague Putra Prima folk
14/01/2005 The Star By DHARMENDER SINGH

FOR many people who moved into Taman Putra Prima, Puchong, two years ago, their lives have been anything but blissful due to the number of problems they claim the authorities have been slow to act upon. 

Resident P. Selvaraja, who was among the first group to move into the area, said the non-stop movement of lorries from several development projects and sand-excavating sites just off the four-lane main road was the cause of one of the main problems there. 

“The lorries leave behind mud and large amounts of sand on the road, making it dusty on dry days and muddy on rainy days.  

“Many of us wash our cars daily because of this,” he said. 

Makeshit shelters like these are built by scavengers at the huge illegal dump located just a short distance away from Taman Putra Prima.

Selvaraja said the dusty environment was unhealthy especially for villagers in nearby Kampung Aman. 

Taman Putra Prima Rukun Tetangga chairman S. Subrama-niam said the lorries were also a menace as the drivers usually sped on the road even though they were aware that it was a residential road. 

He said there had been times when the drivers had driven over the road divider, damaging the 15cm-high kerb.  

Subramaniam said several spots just off the main road had also become illegal dumping grounds. 

“Scavengers looking for scrap metal often burn the garbage and thick smoke from the open burning has become a regular sight here.  

“It is worse when they set fire to old tyres that are discarded here,” he said.  A foul-smelling pond nearby makes matters worse for residents. 

There are clouds of dust when lorries pass the main road to Taman Putra Prima. This is a common sight for residents in the area.

Subramaniam said the large pond had earlier been ordered closed after the landowner used it as a dump for household waste. 

“The pond is located just a short distance away from the houses, and when the wind blows in our direction it brings the foul smell our way,” he said. 

He said the residents were informed that the owner was ordered to clear the garbage from the pond after the Sepang District Office and the Department of Environment (DOE) ordered dumping activities to be stopped. Sadly, the order was neither obeyed nor enforced.  

A visit to the site found several makeshift shelters at the edge of the large dump, used mostly by scavengers looking for scrap metal and other recyclable material to sell. 

Selvaraja said residents had complained several times to the Sepang District Council (MDS) about the problems, but the council had not taken any action. 

He said there was a lot of finger-pointing between MDS and the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), with each shifting the responsibility for solving the problems to the other. 

“The main road and the housing areas on the left of the road, including Taman Putra Prima, are under MDS while all the areas on the right side of the road are under MPSJ. 

“Many of the lorries travel in and out of construction sites on the MPSJ side of the road,” he added. 

Developer Sepang Permai Sdn Bhd assistant general manager Shum Jung Kit said the main road had been handed over to MDS.  

He urged residents to take the matter to the district council as they would be the best authority to handle the problems caused by parties operating outside the company’s development area.