KLANG Municipal Council’s (MPK) move on April 3 to close Lorong Perbandaran, a very busy slip road that eases traffic movement in the area, has met with unhappiness as people take to voicing their objection on social media as well as with the press.
Comments against the permanent closure of the road is being discussed on various WhatsApp neighbourhood groups. And some residents have taken to airing their opposition on MPK’s Facebook page, Saluran Komunikasi MPKlang.
A concerned resident, Sanjeev Kumar, has even started an online petition to garner the support of all Klangites who oppose the decision.
According to the petition, entitled “Save Lorong Perbandaran in Klang from Permanent Closure”, MPK's decision had worsened traffic movement along Jalan Raya Barat outside the Kuan Yin Buddhist temple heading towards the Simpang Tujuh roundabout.
One of the busiest roads in town, Lorong Perbandaran, which meanders up a hillock, allows motorists to cross over with ease to Klang North via Jambatan Kota and head on towards the District and Land Office, Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor and Little India’s commercial area.
The change.org petition started by Sanjeev is gaining traction.
MPK president Datuk Mohamad Yasid Bidin was reported in StarMetro on May 28 as saying that the council was closing the road for security reasons. He added that the road was “municipality property” and MPK had the right to close it off.
Close to 36,000 netizens have viewed the article on the Star Online portal so far.
Persatuan Warga Emas Teluk Pulai chairman Loo Hock Chai, 70, (pic below) said the closure of Lorong Perbandaran had caused a lot of difficulties as people had to drive much further to get to the water department or even MPK’s office on Lorong Perbandaran.
He stressed that the move had caused severe traffic congestion at the Simpang Tujuh roundabout.
“I was told that this permanent closure was the sole decision of Mohamad Yasid.
"Decisions that affect the movement of traffic, where the whole population is affected, must be debated at the full board. People’s feedback must be taken into consideration,” Loo said.
“Lorong Perbandaran is much needed for traffic movement during rush hour at 6.15am, and again in the evening at 6.30pm, to disperse traffic with ease. It also helps the traffic police,” he added.
Despite the backlash, MPK’s administration said it was sticking to its guns and had no plans to back down.
Taman Melawis Residents Association treasurer N. Kaladevi, 51, said the council had spent the people’s tax monies on strengthening the slope of Lorong Perbandaran, but then, for some reason, decided to close the road to traffic.
“We want the road to be opened to the people of Klang. It has been used for decades. We have the right to use it.
"The majority of the residents hope Mohamad Yasid will retract his decision and reopen the road,” she said.
Even some council staff are unhappy.
Several MPK employees, who declined to give their names for fear of repercussion, said the road closure had affected them, too, as it had become more difficult to get to work.
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