RESIDENTS of Taman Bendahara in Ipoh, Perak, are objecting strongly against a columbarium project in their area.
The project was approved despite their earlier objections.
They cited concerns about traffic congestion, environmental impact and declining property value.
“The columbarium is to be built about 100m from our homes,” the residents claimed.
The facility will be on a 1.8ha private land along Jalan Bendahara.
Their spokesperson S. Selvam Sithambaram, 54, said the roads in the area were already congested during peak hours.
“If this project goes ahead, the situation will become much worse, especially during festivals like Qing Ming,” he said.
Selvam also claimed that the residents were not adequately informed about the project prior to its approval.
“A town hall session was held in January only after approval had been granted,” he said, claiming that although consultations were said to have taken place earlier, residents were not invited.
“Only about seven people attended the earlier session, but none were from the residential area.”
He added that residents complained to Ipoh City Council (MBI) about the project, but have yet to receive a response.
Meanwhile, Ipoh Timur MCA division is assisting residents in collecting signatures to present a memorandum to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and MBI.
Its vice-chairman Chan Hoe Loon said the four-storey columbarium project was a large-scale development capable of accommodating tens of thousands of urns.
“Concerns have also been raised over the lack of proper consultation prior to the project’s approval,” he said.
Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee, when contacted, said the project was approved under a previous administration as part of an existing local plan.
After learning of it in early 2023, Lee said he engaged with the developer and pushed for a town hall session.
Initially, he said the stakeholders at the town hall meeting raised concerns about flooding, traffic and infrastructure.
“Objections resurfaced recently after project signboards were erected, prompting a second town hall involving MBI, the developer and the residents.
“As approvals had already been granted, the matter is now beyond the administrative stage.”
State housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said the project received planning approval in 2023 after going through the full technical review process, including consultations with the relevant agencies and stakeholders.
She explained that prior to the approval, an engagement session was held in May 2023, where no objections were raised.
Religious and advisory bodies, which were referred to due to the project being near a Muslim cemetery, did not object, Ng further said.
She said the site, located within a commercial zone, was deemed suitable for a private columbarium development under planning guidelines.
In response to residents’ claims that they were not consulted prior to the project’s approval, Ng said MBI had organised a town hall session in January.
“Due process for the project has been followed.
“The developer is legally entitled to proceed in accordance with the approved conditions.
“Residents who remain dissatisfied with the approval have the option to pursue legal recourse in court,” she added.
