Photo: IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
SHOUTS of "Pulangkan" (return it) were heard from members of the Bukit Jelutong Residents Association (BJRA) who gathered at Jalan Bazar U8/101 to protest proposed plan to convert the Bukit Jelutong Golf Centre (BJGC) in Shah Alam into a housing project.
More than 200 gathered in the peaceful protest urged the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to reverse the decision made to allow development of BJGC without consulting the people who live in the area.
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BJRA chairman Zein Hashim said the people of Bukit Jelutong are disappointed with MBSA for giving approval for the green area used for sports and recreational activities to be developed for high-end housing.
"Our understanding is that 425 housing units will be built. Residents who live here are stakeholders and we are united to ensure that MBSA withdraws the planning permission for the high-end housing project issued on Sept 6 this year and retain the only green area in the Bukit Jelutong neighbourhood," he said.
Zein added residents also want the developer to halt the project and return the land for public use.
"Our committee will meet with the developer to discuss the issue and are considering taking legal action," he said.
Uniformed and plainclothes policemen were present during the protest that lasted about an hour.
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Resident Parnam Singh, who was previously in the construction industry, said the green area must be kept as is, as the public have been using this green area for sports and recreation.
"The majority of the people who bought houses here are aware that the green fields were touted as a recreational area and was the selling point," he said.
Another resident, former Defence Forces chief Gen (R) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin said the green area was important as it would limit the impact of heatwaves by reducing urban temperatures and curb the likelihood of floods.
Former Selangor menteri besar Tan Sri Datuk Seri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who also lives in Bukit Jelutong, said the housing project would have an impact on traffic and could lead to flooding in the area.
"Our residents, many of whom are experts in environmental fields, know about the risks if the project is carried out. We also need the field due to the ageing society and children here who need a place for sports.
"We must ensure the necessary infrastructure, parks, and facilities are in place to support a high quality of life for our residents," he said.
Kota Anggerik assemblyman Najwan Halimi said his office would help facilitate negotiations between residents, the developer and the local authority to resolve the issue.
"We will try to find a win-win solution. What is important is that we preserve and maintain the green area in Bukit Jelutong because there is no large recreational area for residents here," he said.
