Residents hope to utilise the former Section 22 Rukun Tetangga facility which has been locked up and left idle since 2021.
RESIDENTS of Section 22 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, want a piece of land that was formerly occupied by their Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (RT) to be opened to the public.
The site also has a badminton court which cannot be used as the area has been fenced and locked since 2021.
The land was handed over to Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) and the keys to the site are held by area councillor Nalina Nair.
Section 22 Residents Association chairman Parimala Nesamany said the land had been left idle since Section 22 RT was terminated.
“Water and electricity supplies were also disconnected.
“We want MBPJ to take charge of this place and any bookings should be made through the city council,” she told StarMetro.
Residents are also concerned over an abandoned sewage plant in the neighbourhood which is filled with overgrowth.
They want the sewage plant to be maintained properly.
Parimala said residents had contacted the relevant authorities and had been waiting since 2017 for the plant to be cleared.
Parimala proposes that MBPJ relocate a casket shop in the neighbourhood to a nearby industrial zone in Section 51A.
She hopes the process can be sped up and regular cleaning carried out at the plant to be monitored by the council as it affects the neighbourhood.
Over the years, Section 22 residents have also been vocal about their dissatisfaction over a casket shop in their neighbourhood.
MBPJ has approved the expansion of the shop to two units.
Resident Darren Wan, who lives behind the casket shop with his elderly parents, said the business was an inconvenience, especially for those living in the vicinity.
He said the business operated long hours and there was always people in the shop, whom he could see from the kitchen of his house.
The parking bays are also occupied by those coming to the casket shop.
Parimala said the council should consider a more suitable location for the business, such as the nearby industrial zone in Section 51A.
Residents feel their protest against the casket shop had been ignored by the authorities and the residents association should consider writing a letter to the Local Government Development Ministry.
When contacted about the idle land, Nalina said residents needed to write a letter to state when they want to utilise the former Section 22 RT area.
“I have not received any letter from them requesting to use this space.
“As for the utilities supply, I am still working on getting them reconnected,” said Nalina.
On the casket business, she said no legal business could be forced to leave.
She said because of the nature of the business, whereby death took place any time of the day, the casket shop was allowed to operate round the clock.
The business operator does bring their brochures to the home of interested parties but sometimes customers prefer to view the caskets at the shop.
