The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Posted: 22 Feb 2013 04:57 AM PST THE once popular Taman Selera in Jalan Othman, Petaling Jaya is now a sorry sight due to lack of maintenance. Business for stall operators at the 30-year-old food court in the Old Town area has dropped and they say customers are put off by the conditions there. To make matters worse, a stall that burnt down about three months ago, has been left like that, with rats and other pests inhabiting the place now. The burnt stall, besides being a sore sight, is also smelly. The stench, they said, was from rat droppings, burnt wood and plastic. Stall operator Chin Chey Chey, 45, said the rodents usually appear after 8pm, forcing them to close their business early. "We complained about it to the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) officers when they came to collect rental and other fees but nothing has been done so far. When the stall burnt down, so many people from different parties, agencies and government bodies came to visit but that too did not lead to any action," she said. Chin said the rodents were just one of their problems. Chai Kong Loy, 48, who operates the stall next door, agreed and said, "Maintenance of the food court is not being carried out and this has incurred expenses for us. We had to fix the fans and lights ourselves despite asking so many times. It is really not fair. "Also, every time it rains, the area gets flooded as the piping system in the ceiling cannot cope with the volume of water, and this results in a backflow," he said. Chin and Chai are also upset that even sinks have not been provided. "It is a basic facility that customers expect. Customers who want to wash their hands before and after a meal now resort to using the kitchen sinks. This is where we wash our vegetables and meat and is inconvenient for both customers and us," said Chin, adding that there had been a 50% drop in customers recently. "We really do not know what to do. It is a constant struggle to stay afloat," she said. R. Parameswary, 45, who has been operating at the site with her siblings for over 30 years, said the situation used to be so different. "Customers used to flock here and at times, it used to be difficult to find a seat," she said. She said the competition from stalls illegally set up outside the area had added to their woes. "MBPJ workers come only once in three months to catch the rats. They should do this frequently until they get rid of the menace," she said. Besides this, she said both customers and traders were also wary as snatch theft was a frequent occurrence in the area. "I have been a victim twice and it happened inside the food court. Also, at night they break in and steal the canned drinks, cigarettes and the small change we leave behind. They have even stolen the metal bars in the ceiling," said Parameswary. A patron, Anselm Stanislaus, said he stopped eating at the food court after having dinner there recently. He said it was raining and the rodents were running around. "There was leakage and the stench there was just unbearable. My wife and I quickly left," he said, adding that although the food served was good, they would not patronise a place in such a state. MBPJ public relations officer Zainon Zakaria, when contacted, said they were making efforts to clean up the food court and that their staff would visit the place soon to see what more could be done. |
| Kg Railway residents urged to accept developer’s goodwill gesture Posted: 22 Feb 2013 04:54 AM PST SENTUL Raya Sdn Bhd's (SRSB) offer letter to residents of Kampung Railway in Sentul is computer generated and, therefore, does not require a signature, said Deputy Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk M. Saravanan. He said residents should not make an issue out of this and instead be grateful for receiving the letter. "We have done all we can to meet their demands. "They lost the case in court but as a goodwill gesture, SRSB agreed to build the low-cost units and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has even agreed to provide each family temporary residence at its People's Housing Projects (PPR)," Saravanan told reporters at a Chinese New Year charity event held at Indigo Hotel in Kepong recently. He said this in response to a question about a group of residents who had decided to reject the offer letter issued on Feb 13. It was reported in a local daily that the residents had claimed the letter was not legally binding or valid as it had no signature. They had said that they consulted their lawyer and he advised them not to accept the offer. They are now demanding that SRSB build houses for them first. The residents are given 14 days to accept or reject the offer, failing which SRSB can take legal action against them. When asked about the number of residents who had refused the offer letter, Saravanan said only 33% of the 114 residents did so. Saravanan said those who did not want to move temporarily to the Intan Baiduri and Bukit Jalil PPR flats because of the distance involved could appeal to DBKL for the PPR flats in Batu, Sentul. However, only limited units were available. Saravanan declined to comment on whether SRSB would take legal action against those who had rejected the offer. A total of 114 families were issued offer letters and a notice by SRSB to vacate their houses to make way for development. The letter, among other things, stated that the residents would be allocated low-cost houses, which they could buy for RM45,000. They would also receive RM1,400 as moving allowance. The letter also states that their houses will be demolished and they must withdraw their application to gazette the site as a heritage village. Apart from that, it also specifies that they must not take any legal action against SRSB, the Kuala Lumpur mayor or the Government. The residents of Kampung Railway are descendants of Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) workers who were promised low-cost flats many years ago by KTMB, through an agreement with SRSB in 1994. The agreement had promised the construction of low- and medium-cost houses for KTMB staff and pioneer settlers of Kampung Railway. Meanwhile, at the CNY event organised by Metro Prima Market Traders' Association, the 3,000 people present, including 1,000 senior citizens aged 65 and above and the disabled in Kepong, received ang pow. They also received household provisions. The event included a spectacular lion dance, Indian peacock dance and kompang performances. The people were also treated to a sumptuous buffet dinner. The event was held as part of the association's contributions to the community. "We are happy to help cheer up those in need. Such festive events also bring our multiracial society closer together," said its chairman Yong Shin Chee, adding that this was the fourth time the association was hosting such an event. |
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