Shop owners against MRT in Kajang

KAJANG: Shop owners in Kajang old town are against the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) proposed line that will cut through their town. They have urged the developer to change the alignment to protect businesses and preserve the old town’s heritage.

“We welcome the MRT, but the current alignment will cut through our town and a long row of shophouses on Jalan Besar will have to make way for it,” said Kong Hock Monk at a meeting with Kajang assemblyperson Lee Kim Sin and Prasarana representatives on Tuesday.

The proposed Bandar Kajang station with park and ride facilities is the second last station along the MRT first line before the line ends at Kajang’s KTM commuter station.

More than 80 concerned shop owners along Jalan Besar and neighbouring streets of Jalan Tengah and Jalan Sulaiman attended the meeting.

“The three main streets are where the township originated; you destroy them, you destroy the history of Kajang,” said Kong Hock Yew, who has a retail business on Jalan Besar.

Shop owners are also worried about noise pollution and traffic congestion during and after construction, which would affect business. The existing four-lane section of Jalan Semenyih approaching Jalan Besar junction will be reduced to two lanes during construction according to the detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) released on Feb 14.

“This will significantly reduce the capacity of this junction … It is essential not to reduce the capacity of this junction as all major arterials of Kajang town intersect at this junction,” the DEIA stressed.

“Why do they have to cut through our town? There are a lot of vacant lands along the river near the stadium,” said Kong Hock Monk, who suggested a change of alignment.

He said the developer could change the current alignment which is along the road to go along Sungai Langat instead.
The two Prasarana representatives who attended the meeting said they could not respond to the residents’ concerns immediately, but they would submit the complaints and suggestions to their superiors.

Prasarana, owned by the Finance Ministry, is the owner of the MRT project. However, the project is also supervised by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

Lee suggested that shop owners form a working group to compile all their feedback and suggestions to be submitted to Prasarana and SPAD.

Lee also said he had discussed the MRT plan with Kajang councillors and they strongly object” to the rail line cutting through Kajang town.

He said the Kajang Municipal Council might consider giving up the town hall for the MRT station to be built there.

“That way it wouldn’t affect local shop owners but would bring in more business. Accessibility to the station will not be a problem either,” said Lee.

He also feels that one of the shop owner’s suggestions to change the rail line alignment to go along Sungai Langat instead of along the roads could be further explored.

He said MPKj would be submitting feedback, taking into account local residents’ complaints and suggestions, to Prasarana and SPAD.

The railway scheme for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line, the first of three MRT lines, is currently displayed in seven locations for public feedback from Feb 14-May 14.

Construction is scheduled to begin in July and end in 2016.

Another public briefing will be held on March 10 at Dewan MPKj at 8pm. All residents affected by the MRT under the Kajang municipality are encouraged to attend the session. Prasarana and MRT project delivery partner MMC-Gamuda representatives have been invited as well.

SelangorTimes Isu March 4-6, 2011