Operators given four more months to move out, says assemblyman
THE deadline for more than 50 nursery and landscaping operators to move out from Jalan Sungai Buloh has been extended by four months.
Kota Damansara assemblyman Muhammad Izuan Ahmad Kasim who revealed this, said the reprieve came after his meeting with Selangor infrastructure and agriculture committee chairman Datuk Izham Hashim on April 10.
The operators trading on 66 lots received notices from Petaling District and Land Office on March 16, requiring them to vacate within 30 days so the road can be widened.
Muhammad Izuan also suggested that Temporary Occupation Licences (TOL) be issued for the operators to run their nurseries in Bukit Changgang, Banting.
This option of relocating there was offered to them in 2022 but withdrawn in February when it was found to be unsuitable for landscaping activities.
“The TOL can last for between 30 and 60 years with a minimal premium.
“The operators would be required to bear the cost of levelling the land in Bukit Changgang and ensuring utility connections.
“Being a low-lying area, it would take about RM10mil to level the land, and another RM10mil for utility connections,” he said when met at a community medical camp at PPR Kota Damansara in Petaling Jaya.
When asked whether the state government could help bear part of the costs, Muhammad Izuan said this could be discussed.
“The priority now is to find a suitable site for the operators as the road widening project cannot be delayed any further.
“I hope that we can figure out a win-win solution for all within the next four months,” he said.
When contacted, Sungai Buloh nursery operator Jay Lee said they had only been informed verbally about the extension.
“We haven’t received any notices or letters.
“But Bukit Changgang is not suitable due to the high costs involved in relocating,” he added.
Fellow operator YC Lau said it would be a huge burden for them to bear the cost.
“Even if it is equally divided between the operators, each of us would still need to fork out a large sum.
“Also, Bukit Changgang doesn’t really have much foot traffic.
“It is unlikely that our investment will yield returns,” he said.
The operators have been running their nurseries on the stretch since 1999 under an arrangement with Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation.
However, their TOLs were not renewed after 2008 due to the presence of water pipelines below their sites.
