Pekan Lama Rawang folk welcome rejuvenation plan

Stakeholders attending the town hall at Jalan Maxwell, Rawang.

Traffic congestion and parking woes are among problems Pekan Lama Rawang stakeholders want addressed.

Their concerns were raised during a town hall session by Selayang Muni­­­cipal Council (MPS) to gather feedback on the rejuvenation of the area.

Rawang Indian Business Asso­ciation Selangor secretary Sara­vanan Arumugam welcomed the rejuvenation of the old township and hoped the plan would also address lack of parking bays in the area.

“Businesses are fed up with the lack of parking space as shoppers were finding it difficult.

“Jalan Wellman also experien­ces congestion, which is partially caused by lorries that are double-parked to unload goods along the main road.”

He said the re­­juvenation plan should also in­clude improved walkways.

“Many small traders are occupying the walkways and the sides of the road.

“When it rains, they move their stalls onto the five-foot-way, blocking the shops,” he said during the session in Jalan Maxwell, Rawang.

Rawang Hokkien Association chairman Chong Ah Kiat said the plan should also include beautifying main roads such as Jalan Wellman and Jalan Maxwell.

“The side of Jalan Maxwell is bare. Sometimes, traders take over the space.

“These two roads have not been upgraded for a while and the road markings are faded.

“We support the rejuvenation plan and hope it includes im­­­provements to the basic infrastructure,” he added.

The rejuvenation plan aimed to strengthen the area’s identity and stimulate the local economy through placemaking and urban renewal.

It includes painting murals and street art on buildings and in back lanes, creating pocket parks, rearranging hawker stalls, establishing community gardens, erecting an arch for the area, as well as preserving heritage buildings.

Chua showing the Pekan Lama Rawang rejuvenation plan.

Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat said the rejuvenation of the township was needed because of the town’s historical background.

“Similar beautification plans were brought up 10 years ago, but due to discouraging feedback from stakeholders, the project was stalled.

“I proposed the rejuvenation again two years ago and worked with MPS,” he said, adding that the current plan was more comprehensive than the previous one.

MPS, he said, was gathering feedback for the plan before appointing consultants.

“The rejuvenation plan is a long-term project and we estimate that it will be carried out next year,” he said.

Also present at the town hall were Selayang MP William Leong, MPS Zone 15 councillor Ananthan Raman@Ramaya and MPS department representatives.