BY SHALINI RAVINDRAN

Stakeholders protesting against the proposed affordable housing project at the site next to SJK (C) Nan Yik Lee Rubber.

A PROPOSED affordable housing project in Medan Idaman, Setapak, has riled up stakeholders there. It is learnt that an application for the construction of 25 storeys of affordable housing has been submitted to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

The proposal includes 160 residential units, a seven-storey carpark, a community hall and shops at Lot 27544 along Jalan Meranti. The application also includes converting the land status from residential to mixed development.

Stakeholders have adamantly objected to the proposal, claiming the project -- located next to SJK (C) Nan Yik Lee Rubber -- affect their quality of life.

The school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Gan Boon We said the committee had been requesting for the land for the past 10 years.

“It was initially earmarked as institutional land for a fire station, but as the plot of land was considered too small, it was handed back to DBKL.

“Since 2005, we have sent many letters to DBKL, the Federal Territories Ministry and the Federal Territory Land and Mines Office, requesting for the land to be used as the school’s carpark.

“Then in 2007, DBKL rejected our application and said it would serve better as a public carpark,” said Gan.

“We only found out that the lot had been sold off to a private entity in April last year when fencing was put up and visitors now had to pay RM2 to park.

“When a notice board requesting for public feedback on the housing project was put up in December last year, we were shocked,” he said during a protest yesterday.

Gan said while they were not opposed to the affordable housing project, the location was not conducive.

“Jalan Meranti is a narrow two-way road and can barely support the current residents as well as parents sending their children to the school, what more once the project is completed,” he said.

He added that parents had also voiced their displeasure over the possible air and noise pollution when construction begins.

Idaman Sutera Management Corporation chairman Chan Kai Yee said the lot was surrounded by six blocks of condominiums with some 1,000 units.

“There is already a lack of carparks for the existing residents, who have to resort to parking by the roadside,” he said.

Despite attending an objection hearing last month, stakeholders said they were unsure of the status of the project.

Federal Territory MCA chairman and Wangsa Maju MCA division chairman Datuk Yew Teong Look advised the stakeholders to use all avenues to protest against the project.

“Despite the school having made known its interest in purchasing the lot, the land was alienated to another party.

“DBKL must not approve such a project,” he said.