E Contrario

2007.5.14

Taman Saujana Puchong residents have been campaigning against a proposal by Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to build a cemetery on forest reserve land.

The campaign recieved support from more than 2000 residents in Taman Saujana Puchong. The residents are not objecting to building of cemetery per se. Rather they believe that cemetery should be located in a more suitable place. The proposed location belonged to Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, which is belonged to UPM and it is among the few remaining lowland forests in the country. It acts as a green lung to the urban environment.

The campaign has gone on for more than 2 years. The pro-term committee also filed a case in court objecting to the project. However the campaigners are getting frustrated by the days as the authorities refuse to take any interest in any meaningful dialogue.

I met the members of the pro-term committee in our first anti-toll demonstration at Sunway Pyramid. Since then, they came to almost all the anti-toll protests bringing their banners and introducing their issue.

This group of local activists has showed great courage as conscientious citizens. I really admire their persistence. Last month, the committees also went to Ijok and confronted Chief Minister Khir Toyo over their issues.

In early May, MPSJ began to send workers to the proposed project location to do some boundary measurement. This further angered the community as the case is still pending in court.

On Monday (May 14), the committee went to MPSJ to submit a memo to protest the Council’s action. A few of us from KeADILan including Tan Ah Kow, Ginie Lim, Jonson Chong presented to show our support.

That morning the office of MPSJ turned into a high security zone. At least 30-40 policemen stationed in the building as if they were anticipating a big robbery.

The council official was however rather friendly. He invited 5 representatives to the room of Municipal Chairman upstairs. The Chairman (YDP) Adnan Md. Ikshan was rather indifferent and disinterested when we presented our case. I guess I won’t blame him, after all the power to decide on the project is beyond him.

Finally we went through the motion, handed over the memorandum and left the premise.

Outside the MPSJ building, we unfolded our banner posed for photograph. The residents then took the opportunity to speak about the issues to reporters.

Although I don’t think the YDP of MPSJ care a thing about the protest, our action will hopefully continue to accumulate strength.

As urbanization is rapidly expanding, the role of community action groups will increasingly become more prominent.