Bangsa Ria's Saras Manickam: I have enough worries running centre

PETALING JAYA: An eviction order is the last thing that Saras Manickam wants for her charges.

She cannot understand why someone would want to go to the courts to move them out of Bangsa Ria Centre, a day care for children and adults with disabilities.

She already has to worry about things such as raising funds to run the home.   
 
“We already have enough issues trying to run the home and we don’t want to be entangled in any legal issues,” Saras told The Star Online.
 
Two of their neighbours filed a judicial review application seeking to quash the planning permission granted by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) allowing the premises to be used as a day care centre.
 
They also sought a court order restraining the owner of the premises from using the house as a day care centre, or for any other use except as a dwelling.
 
On Tuesday the Shah Alam High Court set March 21 to decide whether the centre can continue operations at its current premises at No. 40, Jalan 12/14, Petaling Jaya.
 
Saras, who is the centre's chairman, said the centre has been operating for three years now and had the support of most of the neighbours.

The centre provides physical and social skills training for severely disabled people. They have eight regulars from the ages of eight to 44 at the home.

The centre is open on weekdays from 8.30am to 5.00pm.

“Parents leave their kids here knowing they can be happy and safe. It is a happy place for them. These kids don’t have much in their lives,” she said. 
 
Saras said that since the case was initiated, they were uneasy and had lost a peace of mind.
 
“Where are we going to go? We can’t afford to move at our whim or fancy. Our existence is at stake,” she said.