White elephant: The food court next to Apartment Sri Rakyat in Bandar Bukit Jalil has never been occupied since it was built in 2002. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
City Hall facilities in Bandar Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, meant for public use will be repurposed as they have not been utilised due to poor accessibility.
THE site of a food court that has not been used since it was built in Bandar Bukit Jalil two decades ago finally looks set for a transformation.
The food court and an under-utilised community hall next to it were built by the developer of Apartment Sri Rakyat about 20 years ago and handed over to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) on Oct 11, 2003.
ALSO READ: Standing idle for 20 years
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah said although the buildings were built according to specifications and were meant for public use, they were inaccessible.
“There was no direct access and exit to these buildings due to their location near the apartment, which was a private development.”
He said that part of the reserve land meant for the access road was also taken up by the Bukit Jalil highway.
The hilly terrain around the area, too, made it very challenging to build an access road.
Mahadi hopes that plans for the site can be finalised by August.
“That is why it has been abandoned for so long,” said Mahadi in an exclusive interview with StarMetro.He said DBKL was looking at repurposing the food court and studying the best options for both buildings which are on government land.
Suggestions included expanding the community hall, turning the food court into an open space or using the area as a parking lot.
“Whatever we decide, it is important that it benefits the surrounding community and is fully utilised,’’ the mayor emphasised.
StarMetro published a frontpage report on the issue with the headline, “Food court left to rot” on July 19, 2022.
The single-storey food court with 12 units was built in 2002 but stood idle for 10 years.
Following complaints from the Apartment Sri Rakyat management corporation (MC), the food court was given a makeover in 2013 by the developer, Bukit Jalil Development Sdn Bhd.
About RM160,000 was spent to renovate the building which was in a bad state after so many years of disuse.
But despite the transformation, the building was never utilised.
Some cars can still be seen at the abandoned food court in Apartment Sri Rakyat, Bandar Bukit Jalil. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
When StarMetro visited in July last year, it was in a sorry state.
Lights and electrical switch boxes had been vandalised, and the sinks and toilets were missing pipes and faucets.
The surrounding area was overgrown with shrubs and weeds.
To make matters worse, some individuals had illegally turned the building into a place to store and repair vehicles.
DBKL had issued 18 summonses to the operator to remove the cars and for causing obstruction.
Flashback to StarMetro’s report on July 19, 2022.
As at end December, most of the cars had been removed with the exception of a few which ownership status was still pending.
Mahadi said DBKL’s architect would come up with a plan for the food court site, including detailed drawings as well as finding an alternative route so that the building would be accessible to the public.
“We then have to secure a budget before calling for a tender.
“All this will take time and I hope the community will be patient,” he said.
He hoped that things would get moving by August.
Once ready, DBKL would manage the place but if there was a request from the Apartment Sri Rakyat MC, Mahadi said the authority could consider it.
Apartment Sri Rakyat, built in 2003, consists of more than 1,700 units in three 14-storey blocks.
More parking needed
Apartment Sri Rakyat residents interviewed by StarMetro said they wanted a multi-level parking facility built to replace the food court as it was near the Jalan 14/155c main road.
“Give us more parking,’’ said resident Irene Cheah.
“I agree that parking space is badly needed here,’’ said Ivy Pow, another resident.
“Currently, many residents and apartment owners have more than two cars each and double-park,’’ said SY Lim.
Mohd Romzi Mat, 41, said more parking was also his first choice for the site.
Apartment Sri Rakyat residents (from left) Cheah, Pow and Lim want a parking facility built at the site.
“If that is not possible, a government clinic or UTC (Urban Transformation Centre) would be nice,’’ he added.
The main road is surrounded by apartments, condominiums, landed properties and shophouses.
“The road gets so congested that it takes an hour just to get into my unit nearby,’’ said Tracy Tan, a resident of Jalil Damai Apartments located across the road.
Residents also said food traders operating along the pavement of Jalan 14/155c were contributing to the traffic congestion as motorists stop their vehicles by the roadside to buy food.
“There is no parking available, so many people park on the road,” said resident Mohd Rosli Mohd.
Residents said it was ironic that traders were operating on the roadside when there was a food court nearby.
An apartment unit owner, Razali Mahiyudin hoped the rate would be reasonable if DBKL built a multilevel parking complex.
Agnes Chan from Jalil Damai Apartment said she hoped DBKL would build a public park at the site of the food court and community hall.
“It would be nice to exercise there in the morning and to have a bigger space for our children to play,’’ said the marketing executive.
Apartment Sri Rakyat MC chairman Omar Izzuddin Abdul Aziz said he had written to DBKL and the developer numerous times seeking clarification on the status of the food court.
“We have always wanted a carpark there, so we hope DBKL will listen to the voice of the people,’’ he added.
