RESIDENTS of Taman Kosmo Jaya in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur are seeing red over a proposal to build three blocks of 36-storey apartments, consisting of 1,878 units and a 10-storey car park, in their neighborhood.
The residents are concerned that the development will have a severe impact on the social well-being of the 500 residents living in the area.
They said the proposed development could cause traffic congestion, haphazard parking, damage to houses due to construction, water disruption, increase in density and flash floods.
Taman Kosmo Jaya Residents Association president Rajaendar Solai said they want their objection to the project to be heard by the relevant authorities.
“We came to know about this development two weeks ago. There was no information given to us on the project.
“We found out about it through a signboard that was erected at the entrance of the project. Obviously, the residents were shocked,” he told The Vibes.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had erected a signboard at the site calling on the residents to submit written objections (if any), with their residential details.
City authorities also gave the residents from June 7 to June 22 to submit their objections, after which the signboard was removed.
The Vibes visited the area and saw that the proposed development area had been cordoned off.
Rajaendar said that they are not against development but cannot condone any high-rise in the area.
“We are alright if they want to build semi-D houses or bungalows here, but not apartments.”
Rajaendar said the problems they are going to face in the future are environmental issues, high density, traffic congestion and aggravated social problems.
“Our existing quiet and peaceful environment will be affected. This will also affect the well-being of the residents, emotionally and physically,” he said.
“The project also can cause flash floods in our area due to poor drainage. There is also no green lung here.”
He said one of their major grouses is traffic congestion as there is a single two-way road leading from the main road bypassing their houses along Jalan Sentul Jaya to the project.
“There will be inconvenience for residents and schoolgoing children as there is only a two-way road leading to the main road.
“The safety of two kindergartens in the neighbourhood should also be taken into account.”
Rajaendar also said that there could be water disruption as the project will have to cater to all the units in the high-rise apartments.
“We are also concerned that the construction could cause damage to our properties as the homes here are about 50 years old. There are even older homes here and we are also concerned that the value of our property will drop.
“There are mostly semi-D houses, two-storey link houses, bungalows and township houses.
“There are many three-generation families living here. We are very peaceful here and we don’t want any disturbance.”
Rajaendar said that on June 20, the residents had sent their objection letter to DBKL’s Town Planning Department, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming and Batu lawmaker P. Prabakaran.
“We submitted all the reasons for our objection to the project. We hope DBKL will hear the views of the residents before making any decision on the project,” he added.
“We will wait for a reply from DBKL in the next three weeks. If there is no reply, then the RA will decide on the next course of action, including seeking the help of the courts.”
The Vibes is waiting for a response from DBKL. – June 27, 2024.
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