Site still an eyesore after all these years
22/12/2006 The Star By Vivienne Pal

FROM a 24-storey commercial complex to an illegal foreign settlement, eyesore and potential nook for disease and crime, the abandoned Subang Jaya Twin Towers is still a thorn in neighbouring residents’ flesh.

This, despite the local government’s removal of illegal immigrants from the area in July.

Kamarudin ... the problem is still unsolved even though three or four council presidents have come and gone
The residents’ latest grouse – the holding board surrounding the abandoned site has collapsed, some of it on the busy intersection of Persiaran Subang Mewah and Persiaran Kewajipan of USJ1, Subang Jaya, allowing easier access into the decrepit ruin.

“We can see people wandering into the area,” exclaimed Meranti Apart-ments USJ1 RA chairman Gurmit Singh during a recent site visit.

But, what irks residents most is the lack of a concrete follow-up by the local authorities, driving them to seek help from another section of the political hierarchy.

Reports in the newspapers (highlighted in StarMetro on Nov 28) and calls to Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) dating a month back to “at least do something about the fencing” as an immediate safety measure, if not find a permanent solution to the eyesore have been in vain.

“Three or four council presidents have come and gone, and I’ve yet to see them do anything concrete,” said Subang Jaya Zone 5 – USJ1 Residents Committee (JKP) president Kamarudin Rasol.

“I have called MPSJ at least six times to no avail, and contacted (Kelana Jaya MP) Loh Seng Kok to help us as a last resort.”

That a little Indian boy had drowned in the flooded basement car park in July, as reported in Malayan Namban in July, did little to inspire action.

The site still sports a flooded three-storey underground car park which has caused residents concern that it might be a dengue hotspot.

Subang Jaya councillor Ahmad Sabki Ahmad Yusof said a recent coordination meeting with various parties had decided that the District Office was to take action against illegal immigrant dwellers, while the council would be in charge of health matters pertaining to the abandoned project.

“MPSJ has released fish into the water two years ago to feed on mosquito larvae,” said Ahmad Sabki, who also attended the site visit.

Although the community of illegal dwellers had been cleared, concerns that illegal activities could still be carried out in the dark recesses of the premises remain.

During a visit of the site earlier that morning, resident Koay Teng Koon managed to snap a picture of what looked like two men attempting to steal bits of metal from the area.


Loh together with residents and members of the media survey the dank undergrounds of the abandoned project which has a flooded three-storey basement car park.
Drug paraphernalia were also found littered in the underground car park.

“Under the Town and Country Planning, Local Government, and Street, Drainage and Building Acts, there is a clause that requires all developers to pay a deposit prior to embarking on a project in case anything were to happen to the said project.

“I would suggest that MPSJ use that deposit to board up the area to prevent people from wandering in,” said Loh, who had received many calls from concerned residents and motorists who had picked up the fallen holding boards from the main road.

Gurmit said the receiver and manager of the abandoned project must also be held accountable.

A call to MPSJ by Loh on the spur of the moment revealed that the abandoned project is still pending receivership, and that MPSJ would check with the Selangor Housing and Properties Board to find out who owns the land, and who can take over the project.