PETALING JAYA, May 31 — Residents in Section 19 are up in arms over a decision by the Petaling Jaya City Council to relocate the SS2 durian stalls to their neighbourhood.
Residents claimed that the council did not consult them before allowing the fruit hawkers to trade in the area.
Section 19 Residents’ Association chairman Tan Yew Leong said the council had gone back on its word.
“In 2012, it was agreed by state assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin and councillors Tony Cheong and Lee Suet Sen that this project would not be carried out,” he said.
Tan said he was disappointed the council had disregarded the verbal agreement.
“They said they would stop the project. But a year after the discussion, the construction of the stall site went ahead,” he said.
Tan demanded clarification from Yeo, Cheong and Lee but said his attempts to contact them proved fruitless.
Rachel Koh, a member of the association, said residents could foresee problems arising from the relocation.
“The main worry is the limited parking. Cars will line up by the roadside and that will result in traffic congestion,” she said.
Koh, a 30-year resident of Petaling Jaya, also raised her concern about the area not being harmonious after the relocation.
“The council forced them to move but they are not welcomed here. They are not happy, we are not happy. Nobody wins in this situation,” she said.
Speaking from a former councillor’s point of view, Mak Khuin Weng said the relocation had not been thought through.
“A development proposal, consultations with residents and traffic studies must be conducted in tackling such cases,” he said.
“The council must be able to predict what kind of conflicts will arise before making a decision.”
Malay Mail reported yesterday the traders were also dissatisfied with the council’s decision to relocate them to Section 19, mainly because of the less strategic location that resulted in a loss of business.
