KUALA LUMPUR mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail has agreed to organise another dialogue with the various stakeholders in Brickfields following objections to the one-way street proposal for Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad.

Ahmad Fuad said this after the residents submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s political secretary Datuk Shahlan Ismail.

Shahlan had attended a meeting with some 40 NGO representatives and other Brickfields stakeholders to find out their objections to the proposal.

He also assured them that he would speak to the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and the mayor about the matter.

“Once I have heard both sides of the story, I will meet the PM to discuss the matter after his return from the United States,” he said.

Shahlan added that he wanted to visit the people and feel the atmosphere of the place to better assess the situation.

“Changes today have to be better than yesterday’s situation. All projects should benefit the people and it has to be value for money,” he said.

During the three-hour session, stakeholders from residents’ associations, religious bodies, schools, traders and cultural organisations put forth their objections and views about the proposed development in the area.

Among the key issues brought up were safety, parking woes, congestion and the tranquility of Brickfields. Residents are suggesting that flyovers be built connecting KL Sentral with Jalan Travers and the Federal Highway.

A representative from the trading community, K. Jyothi, said 40 out of 116 business owners in Brickfields had their licences cancelled.

“After the directive for traders to move to a plot of land on Jalan Chan Ah Tong, these people’s licences were cancelled.

“They have been asked to relocate to Cheras and they cannot afford to do so,” he said.

Shahlan said he understood the adversities the traders would face in light of the situation.

Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) representative Godfrey Ooi said he hoped the government would look at the problems that will arrive once the one-way street is implemented.

“I am sure all the cars cannot wait for us to cross the roads and just how many bridges can you construct for our convenience?” Ooi, who is MAB deputy executive director said.

The meeting was also held to launch a new organisation, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Masyarakat Bersepadu Kuala Lumpur dan Selangor that looks into the welfare of people who need assistance.

“Our aim is to help people who do not have the avenues to approach certain issues,” chairman Zakaria Salleh said.

He also said the organisation would help the Brickfields community to solve its problems.

Source: The Star Online

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