RESIDENTS of Ara Damansara want the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) to close off Jalan 1A/43 leading to the Vista Subang apartments. 

Residents gathered recently to voice their protest because the road was not meant to be a main road in the original plan for the housing area. 

“This road is not wide enough to service the traffic flow from the housing area and the apartments,” said resident Ong Peck Ngee. 

The Ara Damansara housing project did not indicate the presence of the 210 units low-cost apartments when residents bought it in 2003, nor were any owners consulted on the viability of the low-cost apartment project. 

“In our eyes, the access road is illegal and we want MBPJ to close it ,” Ong.  

“We have filed numerous complaints to MBPJ but they have not responded to our complaints.” 

Aside from the heavy traffic, residents voice their concern about security, whereby residents have been putting up with loud noises at night and youths riding motorbikes without helmets. 

“We are worried. Our children cannot play in our own neigh-bourhood playground because the children from the apartments would come and threaten our children by telling them that they would bring 20 people to beat them up ,” said a resident who declined to be identified. 

The residents also took the opportunity to highlight their assessment charges, which did not show any form of conformity. 

Houses a few doors apart were paying between RM460 to RM610, but rental charges for the area was the same. 

“Assessment is supposed to be based on rental charges, which for our area is about RM900. Why is there such a disparity in assessment?” said resident Lim Seng Chuan. 

MBPJ public relations director Haniza Abdul Hamid said the T own Planning department has designated Jalan PJU1A/43 as an access road for the project and urged residents to see the council to seek clarification on the matter. 

“About the assessment, the rates are based on the premise size and build up area. Residents can call the assessment and property management department at 03-7954 5986 or 03-7965 2428,” said Haniza.