Has Works Minister S Samy Vellu shut the door for negotiations over the construction of the KL-Putrajaya highway which residents at Taman Sri Petaling in Kuala Lumpur claim is a danger to their homes?

Concerned parties felt this way after Samy Vellu assured Parliament this morning that the project would proceed despite the heavy protest.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in voicing her frustration said that she was afraid the minister, "would again bulldoze his way through" and not listen to the grouses of those affected.

However, Taman Sri Petaling residents association representative Lau Khien Foh said although he was disappointed with Samy Vellu's comments, he was still looking forward to meeting the minister tomorrow.

"It seems that there is no room for negotiations. However, we will still attend the meeting with an open mind. We want him to explain to us why we would eventually have to live 2.3 metres from the highway," said Lau, an accountant.

A portion of the six-lane elevated highway cuts through the Bandar Sri Petaling residential area.

Residents in the area say the highway a little too close for comfort and cracks have already appeared in their houses due to pilling works.

Independent study

Tomorrow's meeting will be held in Samy Vellu's office, where he will explain the government's efforts to alleviate the residents' problems.

Other issues such as the breach of guidelines set by the Malaysian Highway Authorities (LLM) and the Public Works Department would also be raised. The last meeting between Samy and the residents occurred in front of the Parliament building when the residents staged a peaceful demonstration .

Previously, KL Mayor Ruslin Hassan and Backbenchers Club chairperson Shahrir Samad had also visited the affected area with both acknowledging that the highway's construction posed a problem to the residents there.

Lau said that Ruslin had commissioned an independent body, Kumpulan Ikram, to study the effects of the highway's building on the residents' houses.

Investigations started last Thursday and are expected to be completed next week.