Ladang Kinrara Tamil school problem needs a pro-active solution

 

THE problems faced by SJK(T) Ladang Kinrara in Puchong could have been averted if an in-depth proper traffic impact assessment had been made by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

In fact, the problem isn’t even unique in urban developments as there are many instances of a competent impact study not being made before any major residential, commercial or industrial projects are approved.

The public including house buyers, neighbourhood residents, MPs or state representatives realise the seriousness of the problem only when the projects have been completed and residents move in.

Then complaints start to snowball. The lack of a masterplan or rather strict adherence to it is what magnifies the problem.

For context, the school has been involved in a dispute after it was revealed that DBKL and Fajarbaru Land Sdn Bhd had demanded the school hand over 3,000 sq ft of its compound for the expansion of Jalan Mas in return for a compensation of RM50,000.

The road expansion would mean that several of the school’s buildings, including a kindergarten and canteen, would have to be demolished, thus affecting the 700 students enrolled at the school.

It has been reported that the school has refused to hand over part of its land unless it was compensated properly. It also claimed that it was not informed earlier about the developer’s demand, which came through a letter on March 4 without any prior notification.

Most housing or commercial developers focus more on their projects and less attention is given to infrastructure such as adequate roads and other amenities.

Infrastructure such as roads that may have been adequate for one project cannot be enough if more projects start using the same road.

Nowadays, one can see existing winding roads leading to new housing estates, when in fact a proper road should have been built in the first place. This is one of the reasons for traffic congestion that becomes acute as more residents use the same road.

The fault fully lies with the local authorities. Even the MPs, state representatives or Residents Associations are not consulted.

Even the so-called master plan does not fully disclose the developments proposed as many things are decided later by the planners.

This enables the project developer and the local authorities to collaborate or collude for the projects, and the proposal is kept in the dark until all approvals have been got. When the affected persons catch wind of the situation, it would be too late.

The local authorities can be heard saying that cancellation of the project will lead to legal action and huge compensation something the local authority cannot afford.

To resolve the matter, the Selangor Education Department should take up the issue and not let just the school authorities and the Parent Teacher Association (PIBG) run the show as the big-time developer could easily dismiss them as small fries or threaten to take them to court.

It is not proper to build such a high-rise condominium, which is known as Vierra Residence Kinrara comprising 1600 units, so close to a school.

Imagine the din from the traffic and the nearby buildings that could disturb the tranquility of the school.

School children need peace and quiet to study and the safety of the primary school children also needs to be considered.

With vehicles whizzing to and fro to the condominium from the widened road, has anyone considered the safety of the small children?

This case is a good example of how problems are ‘solved’ after the completion of the project rather than before the project is approved.

This is a typical situation in the country right now with urban local authorities colluding with developers at the expense of those who will be affected in the future.

Both the Selangor government and DBKL need to take up this matter seriously with the developer and find a positive solution.

Since part of the school is in KL and the remainder in Selangor, the complications arising from this land issue should have been settled before any approval was given.

Bullying the school into submission with a miserly compensation of RM 50,000 for surrendering 3000 sq ft of land will only invite a lot of negative repercussions from parents and teachers, the Indian community and the public.

The Selangor government and DBKL have a duty – first to the school, then to the developer.

V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia