MBPJ officers breaking down an illegal road closure at Jalan SS3/53 built by Taman Subang Kelana Jaya residents on Tuesday afternoon.
PUTTING up pavement and a fence to close off a residential road without approval is a big no-no, and the consequences of doing so was witnessed by Taman Subang Kelana Jaya residents in Petaling Jaya.
They could only watch helplessly as 20 Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) enforcement officers used a bulldozer to bring down the fence and break the pavement Tuesday afternoon.
However, as of yesterday afternoon, a new fence at Jalan SS3/53 had been erected by the residents.
Taman Subang Kelana Jaya Residents Association secretary Harun Fazil said the residents had closed off Jalan SS3/53 to prevent crime and keep their families safe.
He claimed that the council did not follow the guidelines as stipulated in a circular by the Selangor Housing and Property Board, on the guarded housing scheme in Selangor before demolishing the fence.
Harun added that the circular, which took effect on Sept 1, allowed residents to implement access card guarded security schemes if they could obtain the majority of the residents’ approval.
He claimed that the updated guidelines also allowed residents to close certain roads with the council's approval.
“The council has to issue three notices before removing their roadblocks, but that was not followed. We only received one notice in May,” said Harun.
Residents claim that about 3,000 vehicles would use Jalan SS3/53 and Jalan SS3/41 as a shortcut to avoid the traffic lights at Jalan SS4A/1 and Jalan SS3/39.
MBPJ public relations officer Zainun Zakariah said all guidelines and requirements were followed according to the law at the time of the demolition.
“They cannot close this road and the rules are very clear,” said Zainun.
She, however, did not elaborate on the council’s next course of action on the new fence that the residents had erected after the demolition.
On the circular mentioned by Harun, she said the issue was still under planning stages.
Councillor for the area Sean Onn said the residents had three options if they wanted to implement the guarded scheme under the council’s guidelines.
He said they could apply to the council to place a boom gate with a guard stationed at the location around the clock.
Secondly, they could opt for boom gates that would be closed after midnight until 6am but opened at other times.
Thirdly, they could apply to the council to gazette the road to be closed.
“The council will study if that road can be closed and how it affects residents and those in the surrounding area.
“The council will grant approval if it is convinced that the road can be closed.
“The rules must be followed and it is the same for all.
“I have nothing against residents concerned for their security but they must follow the legal framework.
“Otherwise everyone will do as they wish and break the law,” he said.
