By THO XIN YI thoxinyi@thestar.com.my Apr 19, 2010
RESIDENTS of Perdana Heights in Shah Alam want the hills and a lake near their houses to remain as a green lung and recreational site.
Residents and owners association chairman Zaini Hassan said they did not wish to see the hills being cleared and the lake being reclaimed for development.
“We objected to the development about two years ago and should there be any new applications, we will fight it for the sake of preserving the environment,” he said at a residents’ gathering recently.
Shah Alam mayor Datuk Mazalan Md Noor assured the residents
that the lake would not be developed as it served as a water retention pond.
As for the hillside development, a representative from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) urban planning department said any development on Class 4 slopes (gradient over 35 degrees) would not be allowed.
If the developers want to develop the Class 3 slopes, they must comply with the guidelines, which emphasise on low density development.
The residents also raised the issue of congestion at the main road, Jalan Batu Arang, during morning rush hours.
To this, Mazalan said there is a proposal to build a highway linking Jalan Duta and Jalan Meru and it would help alleviate the traffic jam at Jalan Batu Arang.
“The road belongs to the Public Works Department (JKR), so it does not come under our jurisdiction.
“However, the State Economic Planning Unit is discussing with JKR about constructing a ramp as a short-term measure to address the traffic woes,” Mazalan said.
He explained that it was not easy to plan a wholesome traffic system as the plots of land in that area were being developed separately by different developers at different times.
“The same goes for the infrastructure and we have to ensure that the roads and drains of the new developments fit into the existing ones.
“There are about 25 developers here and only 20% of their land has been developed so far,” he said.
At the event, Mazalan also launched the Perdana Heights Bulletin, a quarterly publication to disseminate information and forge closer ties among the residents.
He lauded the association’s efforts and suggested including a column to publicise the council’s events.
“We can also inform the residents on what we have done,” he said.
Also present at the function were Alam Flora acting CEO Zain Hassan, U9 police station head Sgt Zainal Mohktar and MBSA councillor Zulkefli Mohd Nani.
