SHAH ALAM: Residents in Setia Alam are urging the Selangor state government to lower land premium charge on a site slated for a fire station, here.
This was to allow the project to materialise soon so that they would not have to depend on fire responders who are stationed in surrounding areas, which would take longer time to arrive in case of emergencies.
Taman Setia Indah 11 Residents Association chairman Adli Maharom said they were disappointed with the delay of the fire station project due to high land premium charge of RM5 million.
The charge was much higher than the cost to build the premises.
"The number of residents here continues to increase by the day, and it is timely for Setia Alam to have its own Fire and Rescue station.
"We really hope that the state government will consider to lower the land premium charge so that the station can be built soon," he said during a press conference held at the land area earlier today.
Resident K. Jayakumaran, 55, claimed that the absence of fire station in Setia Alam had caused residents in the area having to conduct firefighting works by themselves while waiting for firemen to arrive.
He claimed that firemen could not reach their area below 10 minutes, the maximum time set by the federal Fire and Rescue Department as for responders to reach their target, because of traffic congestion especially at Setia Alam toll plaza.
"There was once when a gas leak incident happened about four months ago, which caused a house in Setia Impian 6 to catch fire.
"Residents had to do whatever they could to control the blaze while waiting for firemen.
"Without a dedicated fire station here, we have to depend on the nearest stations which are located in Sungai Pinang, Bukit Jelutong and Section 15. The firemen would definitely have to take long time to arrive especially during peak hours," he said.
Meanwhile, Kota Anggerik Federal Development Coordinator Datuk Nor Hisham Ses, who went to meet the residents to listen to their grouses, said the unresolved issue was very disappointing, especially when it occurred due to high land premium charge.
"We would like to appeal to the Selangor Menteri Besar to use his discretion and consider lowering the amount.
"It is crucial to have a fire station here as the number of residents had been increasing, along with new housing and development projects."