A controversial cemetery project that will see the destruction of 22 hectares of forest from the Ayer Hitam reserve will have to be put on hold pending a judicial review.

The application was submitted to the Shah Alam High Court on Jan 27 by Roland Chong (extreme left), representating 123 house owners from three housing estates in the area.

Residents from the three estates - Taman Saujana Puchong, Taman Lestari Puchong and Taman Desa Mutiara - claimed that they were unaware of the project when they moved into the area in the early 2000s.

Among others factors, the residents are worried about the potential devaluation of their properties, air pollution from the crematorium and the destruction of the reserve which is one of the few remaining low-land forest in the country.

Seeking judicial intervention was their last resort. On Sunday, hundreds of residents and house owners attended a fund-raiser for the impending court battle also to participate in a question-and-answer session.

Petitions bearing the signatures of more than 1,000 residents, sent to Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ), turned out fruitless, according to Chong.

'No better options?'

MPSJ president Mohd Arif Rahman is adamant that the project will take off later this year as planned.

"The layout of the project is ready and work will start sometime this year. Around 32 acres (13 hectares) of the 55-acre (22-hectare) land will be allocated for the Muslim burial ground," Arif was quoted by the Malay Mail as saying on Monday.

Meanwhile, Puchong member of Parliament Lau Yeng Peng asserts that his constituency requires a cemetery but did not pledge his commitment towards MPSJ's project.

"A cemetery is a must in the long run for a densely populated area like Puchong. But whether the forest reserve is the best option is up to debate," he told malaysiakini.

Asked about the rumoured privatisation of the non-Muslim portion of the cemetery, Lau said that he was unaware of the details but felt that the cemetery should be made affordable to all.

"I don't agree with the concept of privatisation. It would definitely cost more that it should," added Lau.

He said that he feels for his affected constituents and would offer his services as mediator if required.