A group of residents in Sungai Ara, Penang, are crying over a proposed development in their neighbourhood, saying it poses serious threat to their lives.
"We are very shocked and angry with such high density (more than 87 units per acre) development because it will also cause massive traffic jam within the neighbourhood's narrow roads," Siara 81 Residents Association chairperson Loh Kan Swee said today.
"The developer plans to use our existing narrow 30ft neighbourhood road as access road to its development, but the road cannot accomodate such a high volume of traffic," Loh added.
"This is definitely not sustainable development."
The group has collected about 200 signatures to demand that the developer builds its own access road, by cutting through the hill behind their area, instead of using their roads.
Petititon presented to CM
About 10 residents representing the group, were present in Komtar today and they submitted a petition to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, MBPP Mayor Patahiyah Ismail and their assemblyperson Abdul Malik Kassim.
The petition was received by Hisham Johan, an assistant director of the Penang Island City Council, on behalf of Lim.
Loh said according to the Town and Country Planning Act, a 30ft or 40ft access road is only good for 15-30 units per acre, for terrace houses or bungalows.
According to MBPP’s own guidelines, a 40ft access road is not allowed for 87 units per acre, he said.
"Do not approve 120 building units per acre in our area. If they insist on doing so, the developer must find its own access road.
"MBPP must strictly enforce such laws and guidelines. We urge Patahiyah to exercise her duty without fear or favour.
"We are voters who voted overwhelmingly for the Pakatan government and have high hopes that the state government will live up to the promises on sustainable development," Loh added.
He also appealed to Malik to immediately step in on the matter as their assemblyperson and being a state executive councillor as well.
“We are waiting for him to do his duty," he stressed.
