More than 3,000 protest signatures against the construction of a proposed flyover linking USJ 3 and Batu 3 Shah Alam, has been submitted to the Subang Jaya Municipality Council (MPSJ).

The two-inch thick bound copy was handed to MPSJ chief Mohd Arif Abdul Rahman by USJ residents association (Usjra) president P Jeyandren ( left ) at a public hearing over the issue yesterday.

The signatures were collected by the residents through a door-to-door campaign, in front of schools and online.

Jeyandran was among those in a team assigned to collect signatures in front of Sekolah Rendah USJ 11. He said the team had explained to parents how the proposed flyover will contribute to the traffic congestion in front of the school.

"They were very receptive and filled in their IC numbers and also stated their locality," he said.

The proposed flyover across the Kesas Highway will link Persiaran Setia in USJ to Subang Heights (developed by Berjaya Group subsidiary Selat Makmur Sdn Bhd ) and USJ Heights (developed by Sime UEP) in an area close to Batu 3, Shah Alam.

Residents are also fearful that heavy vehicles from the industrial zone close to the area will use the flyover to enter Subang Jaya to bypass tollbooths at the various highways.

Developer slammed

During the hearing, tempers flared as many residents were not properly informed about the agenda for the meeting.

The meeting, chaired by Subang Jaya assemblyman Lee Hwa Beng (photo: left ), was attended by almost 70 residents who angrily took turns to voice out against the flyover to the two representatives from developers Sime UEP.

While some reminded the conglomerate about corporate social responsibility, others wanted to know if there were alternative ways to disperse traffic from USJ, Subang Jaya, Subang Heights and USJ Heights.

USJ Heights developers Sime UEP and Subang Heights developers Berjaya Group subsidiary Selat Makmur Sdn Bhd are sharing the cost of the proposed flyover.

Sime UEP planning and land administration chief Haznida Mahmud could not answer any of the queries. He claimed that he was merely under orders to 'listen'.

Traffic woes

At a press conference after the hearing, Lee who is also a MPSJ councillor, said the flyover is not feasible now, even though it was proposed 10 years ago.

"In hindsight, it was a bad idea," said Lee, adding that Subang Jaya is already cursed with a serious traffic congestion problem.

Asked if developers should be responsible in informing house owners about nearby development projects, Mohd Arif said developers have a certain degree of responsibility.

"In terms of (town) planning, the responsibility lies on the town council. That we cannot blame the developers," he said.

Points raised during the public hearing will be compiled in a report to Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, who has the final say.