MPSJ promises to study residents' views

The Malay Mail 16/12/2005

SUBANG JAYA, Dec 16: The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has promised residents of Taman Saujana and Taman Lestari Putra in Puchong that their protest against the proposed building of a cemetery and a crematorium in their area will be looked into.

In an hour-long discussion between the 50-odd residents and MPSJ president Datuk Mohd Arif Ab Rahman yesterday, protest campaign protem committee chairman Roland Chong cited a number of reasons why the cemetery should not be built near the residential areas.

“If the cemetery is to be built at the 55-acre forest reserve as planned, there’s a possibility it would increase crime, especially rape cases, as cemeteries are isolated areas,” said Chong.

“It will cause traffic jams during ceremonial and festive periods as the main road in that area will also be the access road to the cemetery.”

However, their main grouse was that out of the 1,983 houses in the affected residential areas, only two received notification from MPSJ on the proposed cemetery and crematorium.

The residents presented Mohd Arif with a memorandum with 1,701 signatures — one signature from each household. This represented 86 per cent of the households in the two residential areas.

In the discussion yesterday, it was also learnt that the proposed burial ground would serve all races.

Mohd Arif said he had brought the issue to the attention of Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo recently.

“We will look into the matter from all aspects, especially the planning side. We want this development to be a win-win situation for both parties,” said Mohd Arif.

“I am very optimistic that this matter will be solved amicably.”

Mohd Arif said he hopes to present a report to the Menteri Besar at their meeting next Tuesday.

He said he will then update the residents on the outcome on Thursday