RESIDENTS living around the Cemex Malaysia-owned Golden Plus quarry in Ampang can now breathe a sigh of relief as the 40-year-old quarry is no longer in operation.
It was announced at yesterday’s Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) fullboard meeting that the company had successfully applied for a change in the land use to residential and mixed development.
“The state has already given the green light so we are merely carrying out the decision.
“The approval for the change was made in September last year,” said council president Datuk Mohammad Yacob, adding that the council had received many complaints about the quarry in the past.
He added that the quarry was no longer in operation and the council did not renew the licence this year.
Zakaria Yacob, 58, a businessman who lives nearby in Taman Bukit Ampang, said the decision was welcomed.
“We have been living in a dust-free environment since last year.
“However, since the asphalt plant within the quarry’s premises is still operating, we sometimes experience bad smells depending on the wind’s direction,” he said.
Two years ago, StarMetro highlighted residents’ problems with the quarry that included flyrock, vibrations as well as dust and stench.
Golden Plus began its operations in 1972 and some 20 years later, low-cost flats were built nearby on land that had been taken back by the state government from the quarry.
Cemex is an international cement-making company from Mexico and was considered the third largest two years ago.
On another matter, Mohammad Yacob said there was a small decrease in the number of reported dengue cases in Ampang.
“There had been 326 cases so far, about 13 less compared to last year for the period between January and May.
“We are happy that there has been no deaths,” he said.
Continuous checks for mosquito breeding areas have been carried out and the RM500 compounds issued to the guilty party is not discountable.
“Aedes mosquitoes breed in clean water. We are now having a long school break and dengue cases usually spike during such times, so I hope people can be vigilant and make sure they empty or cover any water containers at home before going away for the holidays,” said Mohammad Yacob.
