KL-PUTRAJAYA ELEVATED HIGHWAY 2 METRES AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL HOUSES

AUTHORITIES BLUNDER RESULTED IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELEVATED
HIGHWAY JUST 2 METRES FROM HOMES.
MORE THAN 200 HOUSES AND 1000 RESIDENTS SAFETY AND LIVELIHOOD AFFECTED

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1 of 20 DOCUMENTS

Copyright 2005 Financial Times Information
All rights reserved
Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
Copyright 2005 The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad
Malay Mail

October 20, 2005

LENGTH: 294 words

HEADLINE: WORK HALTED FOR CHECKS ON CRACKS

BYLINE: DAWN CHAN

BODY:

KUALA LUMPUR: Work on the KL-Putrajaya elevated highway has been suspended for two weeks from yesterday to enable the Malaysian Public Works Institute (Ikram), appointed by City Hall, to conduct an independent study of the cracks on houses in Bandar Baru Seri Petaling, The instruction to stop work was given by Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

The study is to determine if the cracks on 200 houses in Jalan 2/149, Taman Seri Petaling, were caused by the construction of the elevated portion of the highway, crossing over Bandar Baru Sri Petaling. Some residents claimed that the cracks had appeared on the structures of their homes following the roadworks. Lau Kien Foh, a resident, was speaking to reporters after an hour-long meeting with the Minister. The meeting was also attended by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok. "The Minister also said that if the study proved that cracks were caused by the project, the Ministry will bear the cost of repairs or we can hire our own contractor and bill it to the Ministry," said Lau. He added that a two-metre concrete parapet wall will be built along the highway for safety reasons and to minimise noise pollution.

"Samy Vellu himself admitted that we are victims in this case.

"He said it was not the Works Ministry's mistake.

Instead it is the fault of either City Hall or the developer and that the Ministry has been made the scapegoat.

"We also questioned the Minister on why we are subjected to live 2.3 metres away from the highway, which is definitely not according to the guidelines, but he could not answer us," said Lau.

"We appeal to him for help.

"Please give us a fair solution so we can live comfortably," he said.

JOURNAL-CODE: FMLM

LOAD-DATE: October 20, 2005

2 of 20 DOCUMENTS

Copyright 2005 Financial Times Information
All rights reserved
Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
Copyright 2005 The New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad
Malay Mail

October 12, 2005

LENGTH: 236 words

HEADLINE: RESIDENTS WANT QUICK END TO HIGHWAY WOES

BODY:

KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Baru Sri Petaling residents said they are not against the KL-Putrajaya highway but they want the Works Minister to see for himself the damage caused by construction work. The construction, they claimed, is affecting almost 200 houses in Jalan 2/149, Taman Seri Petaling and the neighbourhood. The construction of the elevated highway spans 26km from the Kampung Pandan roundabout to Putrajaya, about 1.25km of which will be built above Jalan 2/149.

"We are delighted that Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will meet us this week to discuss the damage," said Lau Kien Foh, a representative of the Bandar Baru Sri Petaling Action Committee. Lau claimed that the cracks started to appear soon after construction began in July. "The cracks are severe and yet no one wanted to accept responsibility." Lau said that the elevated highway setback, which was 2.3m from their homes, did not meet the Malaysian Highway Authority guideline. "It is stipulated in the guideline that the distance should not be less than 19m from the edge of the reserve land." Lau hoped the Minister could resolve their woes quickly as the festive season is approaching.

Datuk Bandar Datuk Ruslin Hassan has appointed an independent consultant to investigate the complaints. It is learnt that Ruslin has the authority to issue a stop-work order if construction work poses a threat to residents.

JOURNAL-CODE: FMLM

LOAD-DATE: October 12, 2005

3 of 20 DOCUMENTS

October 12, 2005, Wednesday

SECTION: Pg. 20

LENGTH: 185 words

HEADLINE: Space just not wide enough for project..ZO: B -All Region

BYLINE: ENG

BODY:

I APPRECIATE the reply by Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu (NST, Oct 6) on the construction of the elevated highway in Sri Petaling. I have no doubt that each and every minister has a duty and heavy responsibility to the people and country. It is also the minister's duty to ensure that all projects to be implemented must be in accordance with the guidelines designed to safeguard the Government's investment and the safety of the rakyat. I must again emphasise that the minister is missing the crux of the issue: the width of the space available for the proposed construction, as it is now, is insufficient for the construction of a six-lane dual-carriage elevated highway. The original space was lost because of approval from local authorities to continue with housing development on the land. Now, the Government has to squeeze the highway into the only available space left, which is the existing service road. To ignore this fact and to continue squeezing an elevated highway onto a service road is akin to ignoring the existence of those who live there.

ENG

Seri Petaling.

LOAD-DATE: October 12, 2005

4 of 20 DOCUMENTS

October 8, 2005, Saturday

SECTION: Pg. 22

LENGTH: 434 words

HEADLINE: KL-Putrajaya highway to go on..ZO: C-Central

BYLINE: Chok Suat Ling; Jonathan Chen

BODY:

PENANG, Fri. - The Cabinet has decided that the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya elevated highway project will continue despite protests by Bandar Baru Sri Petaling residents. Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the decision was reached last Wednesday. He said ministry secretary-general Datuk Syed Jamal Syed Jaafar would meet three representatives of the affected residents next week to explain the situation.

"Besides that, we will try to smoothen the flow of traffic around the Sri Petaling area," he said here today.

In Kuala Lumpur, Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman Datuk Shahrir Samad said the panel would meet Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) officials next week on the matter. He said mayor Datuk Ruslin Hassan had appointed consultants to investigate the residents' complaints and would decide after studying the results.

He said Ruslin had the authority to issue a stop-work order if construction work threatened the residents' safety. "But (until Ruslin decides), the project will go on. The mayor can only halt construction work temporarily if he is satisfied that it is causing serious damage to the homes.

"The mayor visited the affected homes recently and he has seen the cracks. But he is not an expert and will wait for an expert opinion," he said after PAC met representatives from City Hall and LLM at Parliament. Shahrir also advised government machinery to be more "humane" and not just focus on problems of contractors and projects. "They should show more concern for the people and the environment." Shahrir said the committee had also asked LLM to visit the homes of affected residents.

Asked whether the PAC would meet Samy Vellu, Shahrir said he was doubtful if such a meeting would achieve anything. He hinted there were alternative means to resolve the problem but would not reveal them. About 200 residents complained that construction work on the highway had led to cracks on the walls of their homes.

The Sri Petaling Residents' Association had also handed a memorandum to PAC, urging the Government to create a buffer zone between the project and their homes.

On another matter, Shah- rir said Auditor-General Tan Sri Dr Hadenan Jalil would be briefing PAC and other Members of Parliament on the 2004

Auditor-General's report.

"This is the first time such a briefing is being held. MPs have referred to the report in their debates. But debates on it should not just be in the House, but also in the media." Shahrir said the PAC would find time to go through the report.

LOAD-DATE: October 9, 2005

5 of 20 DOCUMENTS

October 5, 2005, Wednesday

SECTION: Pg. 20

LENGTH: 210 words

HEADLINE: Consider plight sympathetically..ZO: B -All Region

BYLINE: K.T.C.

BODY:
I WATCHED with disbelief how Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu
addressed on television on Sept 29 the concerns raised by residents of
Sri Petaling on the construction of a six-lane elevated highway near
their homes.
Not only did he completely miss or avoid the point but what shocked me
most was that he was plainly devoid of any sympathy for the plight of the
residents and applied the classic red herring by blaming the residents
for causing the problem by renovating their houses (which most owners do
with permission from local authorities).
Samy Vellu declared that the project would not be cancelled.
But what the residents were seeking was just a realignment of the
highway - a distinctly different matter.
The residents say a realignment is necessary because there is, they
claim, a clear breach of guidelines for the construction of highways -
the road hanging over their homes.
Consequently, not only their property but their lives would be placed
in danger.
It is unthinkable for anyone to so nonchalantly brush aside alleged
safety guidelines.
The minister claimed the cracks appeared on extended parts of the
houses but cracks have also appeared on the original structures.
K.T.C.
Kuala Lumpur

LOAD-DATE: October 5, 2005

6 of 20 DOCUMENTS

October 5, 2005, Wednesday

SECTION: Pg. 28

LENGTH: 121 words

HEADLINE: Samy Vellu to meet Sri Petaling residents..ZO: C-Central

BODY:
KUALA LUMPUR, Tues. - Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will meet
Bandar Baru Sri Petaling residents over the construction of an elevated
highway virtually in their backyards.
Samy Vellu said he would meet with three representatives who want to
complain about the construction of part of the 26km highway from Kuala
Lumpur to Putrajaya.
"As it stands, the residents will not be able to get compensation as we
are not occupying their land," Samy Vellu said.
"Nonetheless, the Works Ministry would like to reassure them that the
highway project is within the necessary rules and regulations."
About 200 residents said that cracks had appeared on their houses
because of the construction works.

LOAD-DATE: October 5, 2005

7 of 20 DOCUMENTS

October 5, 2005, Wednesday

SECTION: Pg. 20

LENGTH: 50 words

HEADLINE: We want answers..ZO: B -All Region

BYLINE: A.K.

BODY:
WHEN will some of our ministers realise they are answerable to the rakyat
and not the other way around?
Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, when handling the Sri Petaling elevated
highway controversy, clearly demonstrated he believed he is not
accountable to the people.
A.K.
Kuala Lumpur

LOAD-DATE: October 5, 2005

8 of 20 DOCUMENTS

October 04, 2005 Tuesday

LENGTH: 549 words

HEADLINE: SAMY VELLU TO MEET RESIDENT ASSOCIATION OVER KL-PUTRAJAYA HIGHWAY

SOURCE: Samy-Seri Petaling

DATELINE: KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4, 2005

BODY:
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will meet representatives of the Taman Seri Petaling Residents' Association over construction of the elevated portion of the KL-Putrajaya Highway project.
The minister said he had asked the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Syed Jamal Syed Jaafar to invite three representatives from the association to discuss the matter with him at his office.
However, no date has been fixed for the meeting, he said,
"I will explain to them what happened and why the project should proceed," he told reporters after holding talks with visiting Finland Minister of International Trade and Development Mari Kiviniemi today.
The residents claimed almost 200 houses in Jalan 2/149, Taman Seri Petaling, were feeling the effects from the construction of the elevated portion of the highway, about 1.25km long crossing over Bandar Baru Sri Petaling, with some of them claiming that cracks had appeared on the original and extended structures of their homes.
Samy Vellu had earlier said construction work on the elevated portion of the KL-Putrajaya Highway would continue because if it was stopped, the Government would have to pay compensation to the contractor.
Asked if the Government would compensate the house owners, Samy Vellu said it was not possible.
He said the highway project was planned way back in 1995 when the Government issued an invitation to various consortiums to submit proposals for the privatisation of the proposed dedicated highway linking Kuala Lumpur and KL International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang.
Explaining the chronology of events, the minister said the concession for the KL-Putrajaya Highway was signed in October 1997 and was divided into two sections, namely the elevated section from Jalan Tun Razak/Kampung Pandan to Technology Park Malaysia with a length of 13km.
The other was the 29km stretch at-grade (non-elevated) section from Technology Park Malaysia to KLIA.
"The economic crisis in 1997/1998 affected the overall implementation of the project and in October 1988, the Government deferred the project and instructed the concession company to stop work," Samy Vellu said.
In 2002, he said, the highway project was re-activated by the Government to reduce traffic congestion along the busy KL-Sungai Besi-Seremban stretch of the North-South Expressway.
"By this time, construction of the terrace houses on the plot of land to the right of Jalan 2/149 in Seri Petaling had already started," he said, adding that it was no longer possible to keep the KL-Putrajaya Highway at-grade (without an elevated highway) along Jalan 2/149 at the Seri Petaling area.
The minister said during his meeting with representatives of the association, he would allay their fears of any untoward incidents during and after construction of the elevated portion of the highway.
Among others, he said, a concrete parapet wall would be erected on the highway viaduct that would effectively stop vehicles from toppling over the highway, while noise barriers would also be installed.
"The pavement of the highway will be provided with anti-skid resistance surface," he said.
Samy Vellu, however, maintained that the project would be carried out and refuted insinuations that he was being arrogant.

LOAD-DATE: October 05, 2005

9 of 20 DOCUMENTS

October 04, 2005 Tuesday

LENGTH: 549 words

HEADLINE: SAMY VELLU TO MEET RESIDENT ASSOCIATION OVER KL-PUTRAJAYA HIGHWAY

SOURCE: Samy-Seri Petaling

DATELINE: KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4, 2005

LOAD-DATE: October 18, 2005

10 of 20 DOCUMENTS

September 28, 2005 Wednesday

LENGTH: 312 words

HEADLINE: BBC CALLS FOR HALT ON ELEVATED HIGHWAY PROJECT

SOURCE: BBC-Expressway

DATELINE: KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28, 2005

BODY:
The Government Back-Benchers Club (BBC) today urged the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to issue a stop work order on the construction of an elevated highway that will be part of the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway.
It also calls for a study by a special body like the Malaysian Public Works Institute (Ikram) or universities on the safety of houses located next to the site.
BBC chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad who also chairs the Public Accounts Committee, said a temporary stoppage was necessary to facilitate the study.
"I believe the DBKL can adopt a pro-active attitude and hear opinions of ratepayers. I ask the DBKL to quickly despatch the notice and call a third party to conduct inspection," he said to reporters.
Earlier, Shahrir who is the Johor Baharu Member of Parliament (MP) along with Ketereh MP Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad, Hamim Samuri (Ledang), Lau Yeng Pang (Puchong) and DAP representative, Teresa Kok (Seputeh) visited several houses along Jalan 2/149 in Taman Seri Petaling that have been damaged by piling work on the construction site.
A resident representative, Lau Kien Foh, said the project that was scheduled for completion in 2007, began last July without any prior notice.
He said the residents had met Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hasan to raise their concerns, during which Ruslin had denied giving approval for the construction of the elevated highway only two metres away from the roofs of houses.
He also said about 200 houses were affected by the project.
Last Sept 19, 100 people staged a protest at the Parliament House compound against the project and met Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.
The Kuala-Lumpur-Putrajaya Expressway spans 26km from the Kampung Pandan roundabout to Putrajaya, about 1.25km of which will be built above the existing Jalan 2/149 in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling.

LOAD-DATE: September 29, 2005

11 of 20 DOCUMENTS

September 21, 2005

LENGTH: 341 words

HEADLINE: MPS INVITED TO VISIT SITE AT SRI PETALING

BYLINE: PAULINE ALMEIDA

BODY:

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sri Petaling Residents Action Committee has invited Back Benchers Club (BBC) chairman Datuk Shahrir Samad for a site visit following the Government's stand to go ahead with the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya elevated highway.
"Shahrir will bring along other Members of Parliament so as to understand the issue involving the highway in Sri Petaling," action committee chairman Lau Kien Foh said yesterday.
"We will be fixing a date for the site visit, tentatively to be held next week.
After that, we hope that Shahrir, as the Public Accounts committee chairman, will raise the matter in Parliament." Lau said the residents want the highway realigned so that it does not run through their neighbourhood because 2.3 metres is too close for comfort.
The residents have come up with a few alternatives.
Firstly, they said, the Government should consider using the existing Seremban Highway, which is connected to Kuchai Lama and Sri Petaling.
They feel the highway in question can be connected through the Seremban Highway and into Astro in Bukit Jalil to head to Putrajaya.
"This way, it does not need to cut through Kuchai Lama or Sri Petaling.
Alternatively, the Government can also take advantage of Besraya's Sungai Besi Highway through Astro at Bukit Jalil to head to Putrajaya," said Lau.
He also said they met Kuala Lumpur Datuk Bandar Datuk Ruslin Hasan before meeting Works Minister Datuk Seri S.
Samy Vellu on the matter, but there was nothing the local authority could do about it.
"The Datuk Bandar told us it was beyond his control as it was a Federal Government project.
As far as City Hall was concerned, the highway was initially not in the development plan, given the fact that Sri Petaling was basically a residential area," said Lau.
He said plans for a housing project near the site where the highway is to be constructed began in 1996.
Subsequently, 60 houses were built on that site earmarked for development in 2000 and the project was completed three years later.

JOURNAL-CODE: FMLM

LOAD-DATE: September 21, 2005

12 of 20 DOCUMENTS

September 20, 2005

LENGTH: 321 words

HEADLINE: PEOPLE LIVING BESIDE HIGHWAYS NOT UNUSUAL

BYLINE: V. VASUDEVAN

BODY:

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the Works Ministry's reluctance to realign the Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya elevated highway, a group of residents are determined to press ahead with their plans.
Alternatively, the residents said if the Government did not want to realign the highway, it should consider acquiring their properties which are located 2.3 metres from the elevated highway.
Sri Petaling Residents Action Committee chairman Lau Kien Foh said the residents were not deterred by the Works Minister Datuk Seri S.
Samy Vellu's refusal to consider their memorandum.
"His word is not the last and we don't think this is a Barisan Nasional stand.
We are not against development but we want it done right," he said.
He said the residents feared for their safety and wanted to know what was being done about this.
"Alternatively, they should consider acquiring the houses which are 2.3 metres from the elevated highway.
At least it will create a buffer zone for the other houses," he said, after meeting the Minister at the Parliament gatehouse yesterday.
Samy Vellu was leaving the Parliament but stopped and got out to face some 100 residents who had been protesting since 9.30am there.
Though he accepted their memorandum, the Works Minister told the residents their request was not going to be entertained by the Ministry.
He pointed out to them that there were many city folk who live beside highways and their complaint was not new.
He said if the highway is to be realigned it will cost the Government.
Samy Vellu also told the residents the Malaysian Highway Authority had held several discussions with them and explained the project to them.
Before the meeting with Samy Vellu, Lau submitted another memorandum to the Public Accounts committee chairman Datuk Shahrir Samad.
Shahrir said the Committee will most likely visit the area to get a better picture of the situation.

JOURNAL-CODE: FMLM

LOAD-DATE: September 20, 2005

13 of 20 DOCUMENTS

Copyright 2005 Financial Times Information
All rights reserved
Global News Wire - Asia Africa Intelligence Wire
Copyright 2005 Bernama - Malaysian National News Agency
Bernama The Malaysian National News Agency

September 19, 2005

LENGTH: 324 words

HEADLINE: SAMY VELLU LEAVES DR SESSION TO MEET PROTESTERS OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT

BODY:

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 (Bernama) -- Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu rushed out of the Dewan Rakyat sitting to meet about 100 protesters of the RM1. 3 billion Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Highway outside Parliament entrance today.
The minister, who was to answer a question in the Dewan Rakyat, decided to proceed to the Parliament gate to talk to the group.
An aide to the minister said the question was not raised due to time constraint.
The protesters carrying banners called on the government to reconsider the elevated portion of the highway project near their homes.
The protesters claimed they represented more than 200 families living along Jalan 2/149 in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling.
They are objecting to the construction of the elevated highway, claiming that it is being built just two metres away from their homes.
"I explain to them the reasons why the project must go on," Samy Vellu told reporters.
He said the government would have to fork out a large amount of money as compensation if the elevated highway was put on hold or realigned.
Samy Vellu said he explained to them that the project should be allowed to proceed for the benefit of the people and the country.
He said the Malaysian Highway Authority held meetings with the affected residents recently to explain about the project.
The minister left after talking for about 30 minutes with representatives of the group. Present were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad and Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang.
The issue in contention is package 5 of the project which starts from Salak South Garden passing through residential areas in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling and ends in Bukit Jalil.
The approximately 1.25km stretch in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling will be an elevated structure to be built on the existing road, Jalan 2/149.
The 26km KL-Putrajaya Highway project stretches from Kampung Pandan roundabout to Putrajaya.

JOURNAL-CODE: FBNM

LOAD-DATE: September 20, 2005

14 of 20 DOCUMENTS

September 19, 2005 Monday

LENGTH: 308 words

HEADLINE: SAMY VELLU LEAVES DR SESSION TO MEET PROTESTERS OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT

SOURCE: Samy-Protesters

DATELINE: KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19, 2005

BODY:
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu rushed out of the Dewan Rakyat sitting to meet about 100 protesters of the RM1. 3 billion Kuala Lumpur-Putrajaya Highway outside Parliament entrance today.
The minister, who was to answer a question in the Dewan Rakyat, decided to proceed to the Parliament gate to talk to the group.
An aide to the minister said the question was not raised due to time constraint.
The protesters carrying banners called on the government to reconsider the elevated portion of the highway project near their homes.
The protesters claimed they represented more than 200 families living along Jalan 2/149 in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling.
They are objecting to the construction of the elevated highway, claiming that it is being built just two metres away from their homes.
"I explain to them the reasons why the project must go on," Samy Vellu told reporters.
He said the government would have to fork out a large amount of money as compensation if the elevated highway was put on hold or realigned.
Samy Vellu said he explained to them that the project should be allowed to proceed for the benefit of the people and the country.
He said the Malaysian Highway Authority held meetings with the affected residents recently to explain about the project.
The minister left after talking for about 30 minutes with representatives of the group. Present were Deputy Works Minister Datuk Mohd
The issue in contention is package 5 of the project which starts from Salak South Garden passing through residential areas in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling and ends in Bukit Jalil.
The approximately 1.25km stretch in Bandar Baru Sri Petaling will be an elevated structure to be built on the existing road, Jalan 2/149.
The 26km KL-Putrajaya Highway project stretches from Kampung Pandan roundabout to Putrajaya.

LOAD-DATE: September 20, 2005

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