Problems plague Putra Prima Folk
The Star 14/1/2005
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 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. Selvaraja said the dusty environment was unhealthy especially for
villagers in nearby Kampung Arnan.
Taman Putra Prima Rukun Tetangga chairman S. Subramaniam 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.
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 Ieach 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. |