Residents unhappy LRT users can see them swimming

Fancy taking a morning swim while rush-hour commuters take in a view of you in your bathing suit?

This is on the minds of USJ 17 Restrees guarded community, following the extension of the LRT Kelana Jaya line which sees the Putra Heights station built about 10 metres away from the community fence, where the pool is located.

The project is nearing completion and will open on June 30.

“People waiting for the train to come (on the platforms) can easily enjoy the sight of our house, so where is our privacy?” residents representative Gan Boon Sin asked at a press conference today.

Gan said they have met with project owner Prasarana several times through meetings organised by DAP’s Kinrara assemblyperson Ng Sze Han, but no action has been taken.

“Now the LRT operation is to begin soon, and still Prasarana can’t come out with a solution to our problem,” Gan said.

He said there were initially trees next to the perimeter fence near the pool but they were chopped down to make way for construction.

Prasarana should replant the trees and erect a partition to block the commuters’ view of the residents’ homes and the community pool which is frequently used by children, he said.

The residents also want a letter of undertaking from Prasarana to look into the problem of litters thrown by commuters or possible accidents.

“We welcome the LRT but please solve our inconvenience,” Gan said.

He said Prasana did meet with residents before construction began five years ago when there were only about 10 families living in the gated community. There are now 114 families.

Prasarana had then assured the residents that the LRT station will not adversely affect the neighbourhood.

Ng said the residents welcomed the LRT extension, but Pasarana should know that the Putra Heights station is too close to their homes.

“We all welcome the LRT but Pasarana should try to take steps to ensure the lifestyle of the residents is not affected,’ Ng said.

He said the residents' demands are reasonable.

'“Their demands are fair; they are not asking Pasarana to stop the project or to change the station’s location,” he said.

The Ampang extension line, 17.7km long with 12 new stations, will start from Sri Petaling station to Putra Heights, while the extended Kelana Jaya line will run from Kelana Jaya station, covering a distance of 17km and 13 new stations, before ending at Putra Heights. -Mkini