RA works with City Hall to improve infrastructure

Kampung Sungai Penchala residents welcoming new Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh (in baju kurung) to a buka puasa event in their village.

AFTER a downpour, mist flowed through the trees in Kampung Sungai Penchala, much like the serene atmosphere in the highlands.

But this village is located next to some of Klang Valley’s busiest neighbourhoods, namely Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Desa Park City, Sri Hartamas and Mont Kiara.

Kampung Sungai Penchala Residents Association chairman Sohaimy Saad, 60, said some 20 years ago, people used to wear sweaters in the morning, as it was very cold.

“The cool breeze is thanks to Bukit Kiara and the greenery in the village which consists of many orchards.

“This village is unique. The population is 100% Muslim and each landowner owns at least 0.4ha of agricultural land.

“However, the temperature is slowly rising, partly due to development in and around the area,” he said.

Sohaimy said the association had been working closely with Kuala Lumpur City Hall over its 14 years of existence, mainly to improve the infrastructure for its 14,000 residents.

“However, the village still does not have a proper sewerage system and sufficient supply of water and electricity, although the latter was recently upgraded.

“Flooding is also common during heavy rain in the last decade, also due to surrounding developments and poor drainage system.

“So, with three high-density developments of more than 20 storeys under construction and seven more in the application process, it threatens the sustainability of the environment.

“The villagers are very concerned about this trend of constructing high-density buildings without improving the current infrastructure.

Kampung Sungai Penchala, one of the last remaining villages in Kuala Lumpur.

“The density of the new projects is more than tenfold. The roads are made up of land surrendered by the landowners, hence they are very narrow at about 2.5m to 3m wide. How will the current roads cope with increased traffic in the future?” he said.

Sohaimy said there were three mosques and two schools among other amenities in the village, but there was no community hall or football field.

“Real estate developers are eyeing this gold mine for its strategic location and the villagers feel their needs have been neglected.

“The residents association has been trying very hard to be heard, so lets hope the new government will fulfil our wishes,” he said.