Aerial view of Petaling Jaya showing Menara MBPJ in the centre and Dataran Petaling Jaya (foreground).
Infrastructure proposals, market disruptions and planning for senior citizens were among issues that cropped up in the city
AS THE year comes to an end, StarMetro highlights key issues that shaped Petaling Jaya, Selangor, in 2024.
These range from the controversial revival of Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) to addressing the needs of its senior citizen population, the highest in the country.
PJD Link
The PJD Link road project remained a contentious topic among the public, with its status shifting repeatedly.
Formerly known as Kinrara Damansara Expressway (Kidex), it was initially cancelled in February 2015 due to technical reasons, as announced by then Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
Just before the Selangor state elections in 2023, the then caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in a press statement said the PJD Link project was cancelled due to an unsatisfactory social impact assessment (SIA).
Rajiv (standing, centre) addressing the Petaling Jaya community’s concerns on PJD Link at a gathering in July.
This announcement, however, only brought temporary relief to concerned residents as debate on the matter resurfaced in March this year, when Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei and Bukit Gasing elected representative Rajiv Rishyakaran called for the project’s permanent cancellation.
While Rajiv suggested another MRT or LRT rail line be built to address traffic issues instead, Lim said if the PJD Link alignment were to change, the matter had to be discussed with the Federal Government.
There are many shuttered or unoccupied lots at Pasar Besar Jalan Othman, an indication of its low occupancy rate.
In April, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that the Cabinet had decided to cease discussions with the highway developer due to their failure to meet conditions in the concession agreement and the following day, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi confirmed the project’s cancellation.
Despite this, PJD Link (M) Sdn Bhd hoped to address the misconceptions and continue discussions.
In July, a community gathering initially planned as a celebration of PJD Link’s cancellation by residents turned into renewed discussion on the highway’s future.
Mohamad Zahri ensured Stadium MBPJ was completed with its sports facilities running by June.
This was after Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim said the project remained one of the highways under consideration as the developer had made changes to the alignment in Petaling Jaya, based on the SIA and public objections.
This reignited dissatisfaction among residents and by November, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung reminded Selangor government of its promise to scrap the project, while action groups demanded greater transparency and clarity.
Storm damage
A severe storm in May uprooted hundreds of trees across the city, causing significant damage to walkways as well as schools.
Hard-hit areas were sections 11, 12, 14, 16 and 17, Jalan Gasing and SS2.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the council received 98 complaints related to the storm and acted swiftly.
The storm in May wreaked havoc on a few Petaling Jaya schools, especially their roofs.
“We recorded 96 cases of fallen trees in public spaces and two cases of trees falling within private properties. There were 230 trees with broken branches.”
Following the incident, the council, along with the Fire and Rescue Department as well as Civil Defence Force, cleared 28 tonnes of debris over seven days, primarily comprising broken branches and tree trunks. Cleanup works cost RM150,000.
From January to May, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) said it had carried out maintenance works on 9,217 trees and removed 384 vulnerable trees.
Smart tunnel
In May, MBPJ unveiled plans for a 1.98km underground tunnel inspired by Kuala Lumpur’s Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart Tunnel), aimed at reducing traffic congestion and mitigating floods.
The proposed tunnel under Draft Special Area Plan (RKK) for sections 19, 51 and 51A in Petaling Jaya would traverse sections 51 and 51A, Federal Highway and New Pantai Expressway (NPE).
Visitors looking at the Draft Special Area Plan for sections 19, 51 and 51A which includes a tunnel for traffic and flood management.
MBPJ Planning Development Department director Lee Lih Shyan said the tunnel had potential to improve urban infrastructure and streamline traffic flow for commuters in densely populated areas.
The project, estimated to cost RM350mil, will be funded through the city’s development trust account using funds sourced from developer contributions, he said.
During a project briefing at MBPJ headquarters, some residents and stakeholders welcomed the plan as a long-term solution, while others raised concerns over the project’s effectiveness aside from social disruptions and environmental impact.
Market traders’ challenges
StarMetro reported that several markets in the city faced significant challenges.
For example, the market in Jalan 17/2 and Pasar Besar Jalan Othman had low occupancy rates, while the RM6mil Pasar PJKita@Sri Damansara had became a white elephant since its opening in 2022.
In October, traders at Pasar Besar Jalan Othman, also known as Petaling Jaya Old Town market, faced sudden licence termination for rent arrears.
The RM6mil Pasar PJKita@Sri Damansara wet market has modern facilities. However, it has recorded low patronage and empty stalls.
Forty-seven traders received three-day eviction notices for defaulting on rent, with some finding the payment system locked when they were late by only one month.
The issue was resolved after intervention from the mayor, who reviewed the system to prevent automatic licence termination for minor delays and to spare traders the process of reapplying for their business licence.
On a lighter note
This year saw the relocation of the iconic cow and calf statues, Daisy and Maya, by Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd from its old office at Section 13, Petaling Jaya, to its new premises in Bandar Enstek, Negri Sembilan – after 54 years.
The relocation to the company’s new 13ha facility – three times larger than its old premises – is part of the company’s strategy to improve operations.
The statues were commissioned in 1969 from Betty Chen, an Australian artist based in Malaysia at the time.
They were completed and installed outside the factory in April 1970.
The iconic Daisy and Maya cow statues outside Dutch Lady Milk Industries’ manufacturing facility in Section 13, Petaling Jaya, were relocated to the company’s new premises in Bandar Enstek, Negri Sembilan.
The pair of statues had become synonymous with the original factory, serving as a popular photo spot for locals.
Residents bid farewell to the statues in October, sharing fond memories and photographs on social media.
MBPJ is also taking a positive step by coming up with the Senior Citizen Action Plan 2030 as it is faced with the prospect of address the growing needs of its ageing population.
The city leads the nation with the highest percentage of senior citizens, accounting for 13% of its population.
Launched in May, the plan focuses on health, economy, social and safety, education and environment.
MBPJ is taking steps to address the growing needs of its ageing population by coming up with the Senior Citizen Action Plan 2030.
The plan, which will be reviewed within the next two years, aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, 12th Malaysia Plan and First Selangor Plan.
Initiatives under the plan include wellness programmes, community engagement activities and infrastructure upgrades to ensure accessibility for the elderly.
In February, Mohamad Zahri became the seventh mayor of Petaling Jaya.
Since taking on the role, the Tanjong Karang native ensured the RM8mil repair and renovation of Stadium MBPJ in Kelana Jaya was completed and the sports facility up and running by June this year.
Also under his guidance, the council bagged three national awards at Malaysia Urban Planning Awards 2024, including Best Child-Friendly Environment, Most Sustainable City Award and the Housing and Local Government Minister’s Special Award for Best Planning Practices.
MBPJ also took home the Most Sustainable City Award, based on the Malaysia Urban-Rural National Indicators Network for Sustainable Development (Murninets).
At the state-level World Town Planning Day celebration, MBPJ also received the Happiest City Award and Most Sustainable City Award.
