LOCAL authorities will consider residents’ objections when approving the construction of centralised dormitories for foreign workers in a neighbourhood, says Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim.
He said this in reply to a question by Datuk Harrison Hassan (PN-Jeram) who also claimed that about 1,000 residents in Alam Jaya had objected to the proposal for such dormitory in their neighbourhood.
Despite the number of objections, Harrison said a private company that conducted a social impact assessment (SIA) for the proposed project reported that 54% of the residents have agreed.
“The residents who objected had fears that the proposal would be approved by Kuala Selangor Municipal Council without their consent,” said Harrison at the Selangor State Assembly sitting in Shah Alam.
Ng said SIA was mandatory before any foreign workers dormitory was built, especially near residential areas.
“This requirement ensures that the surrounding community's concerns, such as the potential for disturbances, are carefully evaluated.
“In Malaysia’s democratic system, it is essential for local residents to voice their opinions, and local authorities are committed to making decisions that balance the needs of the foreign workers with the concerns of the local residents.
“The matter will continue to be evaluated by the local authorities to ensure any development meets both legal requirements and community expectations, with a focus on maintaining harmony in residential areas while managing the needs of foreign workers effectively,” he said.
Ng also stated that the state was of the opinion that centralised foreign workers dormitories would best be located in industrial areas.
“Such establishments will assist local authorities, employers and other relevant authorities in controlling the workers’ movements and addressing issues such as disturbances caused to local communities.
“It will provide adequate accommodations for foreign workers to ensure their well-being and maintain public safety, as well as to provide orderly and comfortable dormitories to reduce social problems such as public disturbances caused by foreign workers.
“A key part of the approach is the collaboration between local authorities, employers and developers to ensure that foreign workers are placed in safe and regulated areas that can easily be monitored,” he said.
Ng also said that PLANMalaysia has outlined guidelines for construction of workers' dormitories for Centralised Labour Quarters and Temporary Labour Quarters, which can help the state, local authorities, developers, employers, factory operators, service providers and foreign worker dormitories operators to provide accommodation that is well-organised and holistic.
