STAKEHOLDERS in Selangor hope that the newly-appointed Menteri Besar Azmin Ali will focus on the water crisis and other longstanding issues plaguing the state.
Among the issues highlighted are the frequent water disruptions, poor security, infrequent garbage collection, inefficient public transport and the review of the build-and-sell concept for house buyers.
Here’s what they have to say:
l USJ 2 Residents’ Association security head Ricky Yeoh
“The major issue we want the new MB to look into is water supply. It rains every day but there is still a shortage. We also want the state government to address security issues in residential areas, including the possibility of setting up of a gated and guarded community. We are only allowed to put a boom gate and we can only close the road from midnight to 6am. We hope that the council will look into this.”
l Rukun Tetangga SS20 Damansara Utama chairman Eileen Thong:
“We want Azmin to look into the water crisis and basic services like garbage collection, street lighting, overgrown trees and potholes first. The state has the funds and it should be spent for the people. Monitor the city and local councils and empower the people to be involved in their own neighbourhood. Everything should be done in the interest of residents.
“There should also be allocation for more green areas in developments and amenities for the disabled.
“Our aspirations are also for Azmin to stop Kinrara Damansara expressway (Kidex). We are hopeful that he will look into the matter or do something positive.”
l Rukun Tetangga PJS 9 deputy chairman Mohamad Noor Ahmad
“We want the Menteri Besar to look into the traffic congestion, especially near Taylor’s College. There are high-rise developments coming up in the area and if they do not have access to Kesas highway, then the traffic will go into PJS 9. Sunway Geo is also coming up and there is going to be more congestion.”
l Petaling Garden resident K. Mahadevan
“On the water rationing, they have been giving 20 cubic metres free. Our issue is that the quality of water is not good. Once there is a breakdown and when supply resumes, muddy water flows from the tap.
“We also want the state government to look into the wet market at Jalan Othman Old Town and the one-way traffic which will worsen the congestion in the area. Public funds are being wasted.”
l Damansara Perdana resident Joanne Ting
“I hope Azmin can consider the residents’ views on the Damansara Shah Alam expressway (Dash). We feel that Dash should not be built in a dense neighbourhood. We are not against the development and we hope that the state will look into our grouses. Instead of building more highways, we want the government to improve the public transport here. There is going to be an MRT station nearby and also the extension of the LRT. So, why don’t we make use of the convenience of public transport? In Singapore, I have no problems travelling on the MRT from Changi airport to the city centre.”
l National House Buyers’ Association secretary-general Chang Kim Loong
“The federal government announced the build-and-sell concept three years ago. We hope that the Selangor government will be the first to implement this to protect the house buyers. This is crucial because there is no solution to abandoned projects.”
l Former Petaling Jaya City councillor Derek Fernandez
“Regardless of who is taking the helm, the municipal services of rubbish collection, road works and repairs must not be taken lightly at the expense of the public.
“The local councils are no exception as councillors were appointed based on political patronage and a sharing system established by the ruling coalition. The 20-odd people serving as councillors must ensure that services are up to mark and relay issues that have not been addressed to municipal council officers.”