After more than two years of silent opposition, residents of SS14, Subang Jaya, held a peaceful half-hour protest this morning at the junction of Jalan SS14/2 and Jalan SS14/6.
The demonstration, organised by CAREs (Concerned and Affected Residents), was aimed at opposing the proposed Jalan Lagoon Selatan–Subang Kelana Link/Persiaran Kewajipan Flyover, which they claim is unsuitable for the area.
Residents were also upset over reports that the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) had approved the project.
CAREs lead coordinator, Woo Yuen Seng, said he had been seeking details of the project from Sunway Property Group and MBSJ following a meeting with Subang MP Wong Chen in August, but was repeatedly told the plans were being revised.
“That is why we were surprised to read in the newspaper that the city council had approved the flyover,” said Woo.
“CAREs is also requesting the proponents to make all relevant documents – the flyover design plans, Traffic Impact Assessment, Social Impact Assessment, and Environmental Impact Assessment – available for public review.
“We also want an official townhall meeting in SS14 so that all residents have an opportunity to be heard.”
Resident Omar Mahmud said they had no choice but to protest to make their voices heard.
“The talk about the flyover has been going on for over two years, but nothing has come out of it. Hopefully, this protest will make more people realise that we will not stand by while our neighbourhood is threatened,” he said.
Community policing officer and liaison for SS14, Joe Mahinder, has been a vocal opponent of the project.
“The project is not fair to us. Look at the traffic jam today – it’s a Saturday. Can you imagine how much worse it will be when traffic comes in from Lagoon Selatan?” he said.
“We’ve submitted several alternative routes to the developers and the city council, but they have not responded or given feedback on why they were rejected.
“Several years ago, I told the former mayor that Subang Jaya should change its name to ‘Terbang Jaya’ because of the many flyovers. Sadly, we keep building more of them.”
Meanwhile, Wong Chen assured residents the project was unlikely to proceed without proper consultation among all relevant parties.
He also urged CAREs to consult with representatives from the ‘Save Taman Rimba Kiara’ movement, which successfully fought to preserve Taman Rimba Kiara as an open green space after a seven-year battle.
“No plan can be finalised without your consultation. If the developer hasn’t given you a preliminary draft of the plan, the city council can’t approve it,” said Wong, addressing residents after the protest.
He added that during the August meeting in Parliament with CAREs and Sunway Property Group, the developer had promised to show the road alignment to residents, but that had yet to happen.
“Everyone took photographs after the meeting and seemed happy. But we’re back to square one,” he said.
Wong said he would contact representatives from ‘Save Taman Rimba Kiara’ to help organise a talk with SS14 residents and promised to meet them on Dec 8.
“As an MP, I usually deal with national issues, but I promise to look into this more carefully once the current Parliament sitting ends on Dec 4,” he said to loud cheers.
“I come from a party of protests, and I support residents having their say today. I’m not here to take sides, but we won the elections because we wanted transparency and accountability from those in power.
“So, the authorities must be transparent. If Sunway promised to show the alignment to residents, it must do so. Otherwise, the project can’t be approved by MBSJ.”
Wong also advised CAREs to seek professional help, including lawyers and town planners, and to consider conducting a traffic study.
“My advice is to talk this out with Sunway and the city council as much as possible. However, there’s a possibility you may have to take the legal route, which can be very expensive,” he said.
“That’s why it’s important to get all the relevant studies done.”
