(Front row from left) Loo, Chng, Tan, Chan, (standing from left) Tang, Petaling Jaya Utara MCA treasurer Chong Han Chong, Petaling Jaya Utara MCA Youth chairman Kua Chee Hoe and Petaling Jaya Utara Residents’ Representative Committee (JPP) chairman Chong Chee Yin at the press conference.

PETALING Jaya community leaders are calling for better management of the city to ensure its dwellers live a life of good quality.

“We want to celebrate the residents, conserve the environment and ensure only sustainable development takes place here.

“All these elements must be in balance for harmonious living,” said Petaling Jaya Utara MCA chairman Tan Gim Tuan during a press conference at the PJU service centre in Jalan SS3/33, Petaling Jaya.

Also present at the press conference were Kampung Tunku MCA coordinator Ch’ng Soo Chau, Damansara Utama MCA coordinator Chan Kee Oi and Shah Alam MCA chairman Datuk Loo Kooi Thiam.

“In 2009, the Petaling Jaya City Council clamped down on illegal billboards and removed many of them.

“There were even rules that these billboards should not be close to houses, traffic lights and schools but they are now making a comeback.

“Why are the area councillors silent over this matter?” said Tan, adding that the structures were an eyesore in the city.

Tan said the city must also be free from illegal factories such as those operating in Kampung Cempaka.

Kampung Cempaka Federal Village Security Development Committee (JKKP) chairman Tang Kat Huey said she has been living in the neighbourhood for 36 years and the illegal factories were still operating.

“There are issues of haphazard parking and traffic congestion even inside the village. These matters are still not addressed.

“There is a charcoal factory and a workshop that spray paints vehicles. These are not good for the residents’ health,” she said.

Tan called for sustainable developments that take into account the the existing Petaling Jaya residents such as those in Taman Megah.

“There is a high-rise development planned in Taman Megah and SS25 residents are worried about how it would affect their neighbourhood in terms of traffic,” he said.

Tan also highlighted the lack of trees along the one-way loop.

“I was a former student of SMK La Salle PJ and I used to walk past all these beautiful big trees.

“They were chopped to make way for the one-way loop project and it was promised that trees would be planted upon completion of the project but I still do not see any.

“There has always been talk about sustainable development but old trees that were still healthy were chopped to make way for roads.

“The assemblyman and councillors need to focus on all these issues,” he said.