BY STUART MICHAEL

Speaking out: A resident of Bandar Country Homes bringing up an issue during the dialogue.

A FOUR-hour dialogue between the authorities and residents of Bandar Country Homes (BCH), Rawang, as well as surrounding townships proved to be an eye-opener for both parties.

Among the issues raised were crime such as snatch thefts and house break-ins, limited Internet and mobile phone network coverage, floods, traffic congestion, untrimmed trees, mat rempit and uncollected rubbish.

Selayang MP William Leong, Rawang assemblyman Gan Pei Nei, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) Zone 17 councillor Gunarajah R. George, MPS president Suliman Abd Rahman, Rawang police station CID investigating officer ASP Gurdial Singh, representatives from Gombak district Public Works Department (PWD) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) were at the Phase Two basketball court in BCH to listen to the residents’ feedback.

Phase 12 resident Khoo Soo Kee complained about the slip road in Phase 13 that was not completed. He was also concerned over trees that needed to be trimmed and uncollected rubbish.

Suliman said he would look into these matters and would instruct his staff to trim the trees immediately. Hisyamuddin Bahari, 40, from Kota Emerald, complained about the area not having Internet and telephone lines. He also asked MPS to keep tabs on contractors providing rubbish collection service, to which Suliman agreed.

“I am not able to help regarding Internet and mobile phone services.

“Previously residents objected when telecommunication companies wanted to install antenna on buildings to boost their coverage, making it difficult for the companies to expand services.

“I suggest the residents start a signature campaign and send it to Telekom Malaysia or the other telecommunication companies, as there is a huge number of people staying here,” he said.

G.S Maniam, on the other hand, wanted to know what was being done to rectify the flood problems in the area. He also asked about the status of the BCH police station.

ASP Gurdial replied that there were plans for Rawang to be a police district on its own with six dozen personnel and it would be in charge of areas such as Kundang, Bandar Tasik Puteri and Batu Arang in the future.

Rawang assemblyman Gan Pei Nei explained plans to solve the flood woes in Sungai Bakau, Sungai Gong and Sungai Kundang. She said PWD proposed to widen Jalan Rawang-Batu Arang in stages and the rivers would be deepened at the same time.

She also announced her allocation of RM20,000 to repair the gate, fence and basketball court in Phase Two, BCH, which were vandalised on June 5. Suliman highlighted that MPS assessment rates had been unchanged since 1993 and it was high time the figure was adjusted, in view of the rapid development in the area.