IPOH: The Ipoh City Council (MBI) has been urged to immediately halt the construction of a new road linking the “Friendship Park” development in Taman Saikat until concerns over project safety, river diversion and approval procedures are clarified.
In a joint statement Friday (July 31), Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing and Simpang Pulai assemblyman Wong Chai Yi said their service centres had received complaints from residents who raised concerns that the project could cause soil erosion, involve the diversion of a tributary and pose a potential risk of flash floods.
Tan said a site visit carried out after receiving the complaints found that the residents’ concerns were not unfounded, as the project site involved changes to the existing river flow.
“Until these issues are clarified, MBI must immediately stop the construction works and review all related technical assessments and approval processes,” he said.
Tan said they would seek confirmation from the Drainage and Irrigation Department on whether the project complied with relevant regulations and river management standards.
“The road was originally planned as a connecting route for the park project, but there are questions over the need to continue with its construction after the development project was halted.
“With the original development plans now stalled, the administration no longer has strong justification to proceed with the construction of the road,” he said.
Wong said her office had previously written to MBI requesting that the relevant documents be provided to elected representatives to address residents’ concerns, but had yet to receive a response.
She stressed that residents had the right to know whether the project complied with legal requirements and to understand its impact on the environment and nearby residential areas.
“While we understand the new road was planned to connect to the Qing Xin Ling leisure and cultural village and serve as an alternative route, the project should not compromise public safety or the environment.
“We call on MBI to hold a coordination meeting with residents and community leaders to explain the project’s background, safety assessments and future plans.
“Until all disputes are resolved, we demand that the road construction project be stopped immediately,” he said.
Last week residents of Taman Saikat, which is located next to Qing Xin Ling told reporters that they requested MBI to allow the residential area to be turned into a gated and guarded community.
Residents' spokesman Surindar Singh had said it was an option for the city council to consider, should the tourist spot be reopened.
Residents first voiced displeasure over the operation of the cultural village in 2014, citing traffic congestion and safety issues caused by large numbers of visitors.
The premises were ordered to close in April 2024 after a foreign tour guide was killed by a falling rock, allowing authorities to evaluate safety aspects.
