Hillview’s hillslope woes

Hillslope project and drug haunt part of dialogue

By LIM CHIA YING – The STAR / Metro

DEVELOPMENTS, especially on hillslopes, were questioned by residents of Taman Sri Ukay and Hill View Ampang during a dialogue held with the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).  The dialogue was the first to be organised by the Taman Sri Ukay Hill View Residents’ Association (RA) since it was registered last October.

A Hill View resident asked about a development at Madonna Heights, the area where the former Good Shepherd kindergarten used to be.  “There are plans to build a gated community and high-rise apartments here. The MPAJ circulated six notices to six households within Taman Hillview but approval had apparently been given despite all six homes objecting to the plan,” the resident claimed.

“Is this the commitment of the authorities. Haven’t they learnt a lesson from past tragedies like the Highland Towers and Bukit Antarabangsa?  “This is frustrating and I am disgusted,” the resident said.

Also present were representatives from Telekom, Syabas, the police and Duke Highway. Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin and Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali were also present.

A resident staying at Lorong 7A in Taman Sri Ukay also voiced out her fears about a condominium at the peak.  She said this was a serious matter and that any untoward incident would affect the whole residential area.

Another matter brought up was claims by residents that the site of the Highland Towers tragedy has become a haunt for drug addicts.

The residents also complained about problems related to a religious school in the area.  “The drivers with their big cars park anywhere they like and have no respect for the residents. Traffic is heavy and a danger to us. The hygiene at the premises is also questionable,” said the residents.

Other issues raised included noise the residents have to put up with now that the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (Duke) is open.  “We are wondering if barriers can be put up to muffle the noise. Also, the point where the DUKE and MRR2 converge is often at a gridlock, causing the congestion to spill over to the Melawati area.”

MPAJ deputy president Abd Hamid Hussain said he was unable to comment on the matters raised.