Subang Jaya residents have raised concerns over transparency of outsourcing practices, especially cleaning and landscaping contracts. They want assurance that service quality will not be compromised. — Filepic
AS the city of Subang Jaya in Selangor ushers in a new year and a fresh council term, residents are demanding more than just grand announcements.
They want stronger continuity, clearer communication and consistent council service delivery.
Rather than new major projects, ratepayers told StarMetro they hope 2026 brings greater reliability, transparency and follow-through on long-standing issues in USJ, Puchong and Seri Kembangan.
Lee says transparency in planning and development approvals remains a key concern.Key concerns include clogged drainage, erratic waste management, and deteriorating road surfaces.
Residents say they want steady, scheduled progress instead of reactive problem-solving after the fact.
Pusat Bandar Puchong Residents Association deputy chairman Awies Ung said the public wanted better engagement with Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), particularly regarding land use, town planning and environmental impacts.
“Residents want engagement to be more structured and predictable, not just reactive,” he said.
“We hope for regular dialogue where MBSJ, residents’ associations and the wider community can sit together and coordinate effectively,” he added.
Ung suggests that MBSJ adopt clearer, bilingual messaging to reach all segments.Referring to last year’s controversy involving land near Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Ung said residents felt clearer, earlier communication was necessary for proposals affecting environmentally sensitive or long-established neighbourhood areas.
“Residents were anxious because they only learned about certain matters late in the process,” he said.
“When it involves green lungs or locations close to existing homes, people want a clear explanation from the start so that they understand exactly what is being proposed.”
Ung said recurring issues such as traffic congestion and flash floods required holistic, long-term solutions rather than temporary, one-off fixes.
“These are not problems that can be solved overnight.
“Residents want continuity, proper follow-through and the assurance that solutions are sustained over time so that public funds are not wasted,” he said.
Ung said residents also wanted to be notified in advance when works were affecting their streets.
“People want clarity before the process has already moved forward too far to be changed,” he said.
He highlighted that many residents felt current communication was often too technical or bogged down in jargon.
Joe wants councillors who are truly representative of the people in their area.He suggested that MBSJ adopt clearer, bilingual messaging to ensure all segments of the community could be reached.
“Visual aids like maps, 3D renderings and infographics would help people understand complex decisions better.
“Updates should be delivered through channels that are accessible to residents, such as neighbourhood WhatsApp groups, newsletters or digital platforms.”
He stressed that communities wanted more attention paid to day-to-day upkeep such as functioning streetlighting, road and drainage repairs, neighbourhood safety patrols and the general condition of public facilities.
“Facilities should be properly maintained to continue serving the community over the long term, rather than the city council waiting until they require expensive overhauls,” said Ung.
Meanwhile, SS14 resident Joe Mahinder Singh said people living in established areas wished to see greater accountability in local governance and service delivery.
He said residents hoped that future councillor appointments would prioritise individuals genuinely capable of acting as a bridge between the people and the authorities.
“We want councillors who are truly representative of the people in their area and who are proactive in engaging with issues on the ground,” he said.
Joe also raised concerns over transparency of outsourcing practices, especially cleaning and landscaping contracts.
He said residents wanted assurance that service quality would not be compromised.
Contractors should be monitored closely to ensure sufficient manpower and proper supervision, he emphasised.
“This is crucial as these services directly affect daily cleanliness, safety and comfort of the suburbs,” said Joe.
He added that residents hoped engagement platforms such as town hall meetings and community dialogues would be strengthened to allow for more open discourse.
Governance remains a major focal point among the people this year, following recent calls for reform in how local councillors are appointed across Selangor.
In December last year Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said local councils should not consist solely of political appointees, and called for a fairer and more balanced representation while suggesting that professionals and retired individuals with relevant skills and experience be included.
Residents said they would be watching the upcoming list of appointees closely to see if the line-up reflected a broader mix of backgrounds and skills.
Outgoing Zone 16 councillor Lee Jen Uyin said the challenge ahead for the next term would be balancing the provision of basic services with the evolving needs of a maturing city.
“Expectations have shifted significantly, compared to when I first started my term,” she said.
“In the beginning, most of the focus was on core services like rubbish collection, potholes, drainage and streetlighting.
“While those remain important, today’s residents are also looking at liveability, pedestrian accessibility, and support for different groups in the community,” she noted.
Lee said this included improving facilities for senior citizens and the disabled, creating more inclusive public spaces and ensuring that ageing infrastructure remained relevant as the population grew older.
“The council must continue delivering core services while simultaneously planning for sustainability and resilience.
“People have higher expectations now and the council must be agile enough to meet them.”
While technology and digital apps have improved some aspects of local council services, Lee said MBSJ must ensure the public could still access all counters physically to cater to those who were less tech-savvy.
“Given the increase in environmental disasters like flash floods, sinkholes and earthquakes in many countries, the council’s priority must be preventive.
“We need long-term planning that is proactive rather than just reacting to disasters after they happen,” she pointed out.
Lee said transparency in planning and development approvals remained a key concern, especially in high-density areas.
“Councillors must stay open-minded, take feedback positively and remain on the ground.
“Our role is to be the community’s voice and ensure that the system continues to improve for everyone,” she added.
