A directive requiring 66 nursery operators in Sungai Buloh Greenlane to vacate their premises by tomorrow for the Damansara-Shah Alam Expressway (DASH) project is deeply disconcerting.
The timeline is unreasonably rushed.
In the absence of proper relocation arrangements, these operators are confronted with a triple burden – displacement without viable alternatives, escalating costs, and severe time pressure.
This situation is untenable and demands urgent attention.
With a history spanning over half a century, the Sungai Buloh nursery hub is not only a key distribution centre for festive plants in Malaysia, but also a vital repository of local heritage and grassroots economic activity.
A forced and hurried clearance will not only devastate livelihoods, but may also erase a long-standing cultural and commercial landmark.
Development must not come at the expense of the people’s welfare.
While infrastructure projects are important, they must be implemented with fairness and responsibility.
Behind these 66 operators are 66 families whose livelihoods are now at risk.
Abrupt eviction without adequate safeguards is neither just nor acceptable. A people-centric approach must remain the cornerstone of governance.
It is both reasonable and necessary for the government to provide suitable and sustainable relocation options.
The nursery industry is highly specialised, requiring specific land conditions, accessibility, and customer flow.
Authorities must identify and develop alternative sites with genuine commercial viability and proper infrastructure, rather than resorting to arbitrary relocation.
A minimum six-month transition period to facilitate an orderly relocation would be apt.
The current deadline is impractical, particularly in light of rising fuel prices and increasing transportation and labour costs.
A reasonable buffer period is essential to mitigate losses and allow businesses to adjust.
Additionally, MCA urges the government to introduce targeted assistance measures to ease the financial burden on affected operators.
With global energy price volatility driving up operational costs, support such as one-off relocation grants, rental subsidies, or low-interest financing is both justified and necessary to prevent business closures.
The government must also recognise and preserve the unique brand value of Sungai Buloh as a nationally recognised “festive flower hub”.
This site holds significant cultural meaning, especially during the Chinese New Year period, drawing visitors from across the country.
A coordinated relocation plan must therefore ensure continuity of this identity, rather than allowing it to fade away.
MCA firmly calls on the government to immediately defer the clearance directive and engage in meaningful, constructive dialogue with all affected parties.
True national progress is not defined solely by physical infrastructure, but by the ability to protect livelihoods and uphold social equity.
Only through balanced and inclusive development can the nation move forward sustainably.
Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon
MCA Deputy President
