A flyover project, first mooted by Subang Jaya state assemblyperson Lee Hwa Beng (photo) in 1995, is now the centre of a heated disagreement between two groups of residents in the area, with one group threatening legal action if the link bridge is not built.

The two groups of Subang Jaya and USJ residents presented their arguments for and against the flyover in emotional fashion at a public hearing yesterday afternoon, conducted at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) building and attended by Lee himself as well as over a hundred other residents.

USJ3 A/B/C/D residents association chairperson Rusman Zaihan (speaking in photo) told the meeting that when the project was approved, there were no houses built in the area the flyover would lead into.

"However, there are about a thousand homes and four schools there now and they will be affected by the flyover bringing in more traffic to an already heavily congested area," he said, adding that the bridge would also be used by industrial vehicles from a primarily industrial area.

The hearing was chaired by MPSJ deputy chief Abdul Ghani Salleh, who appeared to be amused while watching the 'fireworks' produced by some of the residents from both camps.

Unfortunately for the residents though, Abdul Ghani did not provide any reasons as to why the USJ-Batu Tiga link was approved in the first place without the affected residents being informed and consulted.

The group of residents keen on the bridge - comprising some 300 bungalow owners in an area close to Shah Alam called Subang Heights - were also present at the hearing.

Also keen for the project to go ahead are the developers of Subang Heights - Berjaya Group subsidiary Selat Makmur Sdn Bhd - who had promised the bungalow purchasers the flyover when advertising and selling the properties.

School kids' safety

USJ Residents Association (USJRA) chairperson P Jayendran told the meeting that residents have had enough of the infamous Subang Jaya traffic jams, the building of highways into the area and the continuous development there.

"Enough is enough. I've seen this for 12 years now. The USJRA totally supports residents who are not in favour of the proposed bridge as we believe it will aggravate existing traffic congestion," he said.

Jayendran added that the primary concern of many residents - from the estimated 38,000 homes in USJ - were for the safety of their school going children as the flyover would lead traffic close to a primary and a secondary school in USJ 12.

Subang Heights residents also expressed their concern for children in the area but said this could be addressed by various safety and engineering measures.

Spokesperson Shawn Chong (right) said the link would alleviate traffic congestion in Subang and USJ as the flyover would provide an alternative for commuters to head out to Shah Alam and other areas.

"The traffic and safety issues are a smokescreen created by the USJ3 A/B/C/D Residents Association [...] the real reason for their objection is that they want to turn a four-lane highway into their own private, exclusive highway," he said.

A resident from the anti-flyover group then stood up to counter this argument, in turn accusing the Subang Heights residents of wanting the flyover for their own personal use to travel into Subang for either work or leisure.

State rep cornered

In the heat of the discussion, state assemblyperson Lee was dragged into the fray for allegedly going back on his word when he announced, at the end of the meeting, that the council will take a month to decide if the project will go ahead.

"At the last meeting on August 22, you said the same thing. Let's not drag this any further. We are your voters too. We are also the 'rakyat'," said Chong.

Chong said he was disappointed with Lee's statement two days ago, and repeated at the meeting, that he (Lee) was backing the anti-flyover group as they were his constituents.

Speaking to malaysiakini later, Chong said that he has sent letters complaining of the assemblyperson's 'conduct' to the state menteri besar and Lee's party (MCA) leader Ong Ka Ting.

"We will sue the relevant parties, such as the MPSJ, the state and the developers if the bridge is not built," said Chong.

Asked to comment, Lee said he was unfazed by the threat and that he was doing his duty as an elected representative by supporting his constituents. He added that he had had a chat with Ong and that his party chief had no issues with his 'conduct'.

The fate of the RM20 million flyover is now, on paper, left in the hands of the municipal council and the will of the Subang Jaya residents.