(Petaling Jaya, Sunday): MPPJ conducted a briefing concerning the MPPJ’s proposal to change parts of Petaling Jaya Local Draft Plan (RTPJ1) on 31^st March 2006

One of the controversial issue which also caught the attention of the Selangor Mentri Besar was the controversial PJ Exchange (PJX) building project by SBC Corporation, located in Lot 11, Section 52, Mukim Bandar Petaling (car park near the Taman Jaya LRT), in which the status of the car park will be changed to commercial function.

The briefing was organized as part of the requirements of Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, whereby consultation with residents is required before any changes could be carried out.

Though, with regards to PJX project, it was launched by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo recently, with banners on PJ roads bearing both the state government’s and the council’s crest. Serious question must be asked on how the council could approve and advertise a project before it was tabled for discussion with residents.

MPPJ Town Planning Department Director Sharipah Marhani Syed Ali and MPPJ President Datuk Ahmad Termizi Puteh were not able to provide satisfactory answera. Sharipah was quoted as saying that “this is a session for us to discuss, debate and negotiate, and I am ever willing to see all of you in another more interactive session in smaller groups to explain these changes further” in her conclusion and that “we will then prepare a report that will take into consideration all the changes from the feedback that we receive.”

In lieu of the seriousness and urgency of the matter, I urge Sharipah and Termizi to immediately come out with an immediate open explanation to clear the doubts and to preserve the integrity of MPPJ.