Residents in Ara Damansara pour out their woes

Residents in Ara Damansara pour out their woes
By Oh Ing Yeen, The Star, 26th August 2008 (Tues)

--------------------------------------------------------------

Security, assessment rates, infrastructure, social and environmental issues were the main concerns of Ara Damansara residents at a recent meeting with Kota Damansara state assemblyman Dr Nasir Hashim and Petaling Jaya City Councillor Mohd Halil Haji Harun.

Residents Association chairman Theodore Tan said the objective was to have an open meeting with the relevant authorities to discuss issues pertinent to their community.

“This is the first session, hopefully there will be more,” he said.

Residents were mainly concerned about their safety such as the increasing antics of the mat rempits and also foreign workers in their neighbourhood. Thus, they requested for more police patrols.

A resident, who only want to be known as Linda, shared her close encounter with suspicious men who loitered in her neighbourhood.

She lodged a police report after her daughter told her that the men were eyeing their house and followed them by car when they were returning home.

“It’s important to involve children in community talks, too. I fear for my family’s safety as I have three young daughters,” she said.

She also pointed out that visitors scribbled their details in the log book at the guard post, making it difficult to read the IC and car numbers, hence defeating the purpose of having log books.

Nasir said the definition for “gated and guarded community” was vague and it was something that should be looked into.

Residents raised the issue of the Platinum Project that seemed to be stalled and hoped that MBPJ would ensure the project site would not turn into a drug addicts’ haunt or colony for illegal immigrants.

On environment issues, resident Chan Loy Poh said the lake near Ara Hill was not maintained well.

“The water is stagnant and infested with mosquitoes,” he said.

Mohd Halil provided forms for residents to write their complaints and encouraged residents in his zone to contact him directly about their problems instead of going through various departments in MBPJ.

“I will try to get the answers during committee meetings,” he said.

He also announced that spotlights would be installed at parks next month or by October.
Winchester RA chairman Ahmad Nizam was pleased with the meeting that provided an opportunity for residents to meet the relevant authorities, who seemed serious about solving problems.

However, not all had grouses. Resident Devindran Ramanathan said the rubbish collection in his area was good and the sweepers worked hard.

“Residents should play an active role and we should appreciate the good work done,” he said.

Also present at the meeting held at the lakeside along Jalan PJU 1A/1 were All-Petaling Jaya Selangor Residents Association Coalition (APAC) president Liew Wei Beng, Senior Inspector Zainal Abidin, Mohd Pouzi Che Nik from Sime Darby, MBPJ representatives Harun Saidin and Kamariah Yahya from the Environment Health Department and Development Planning Department.