Driving residents up the wall
House owners fear construction of barricade will cause soil erosion
RESIDENTS of Jalan Senangin in Taman Weng Lock, off Jalan Bangsar, are living in fear that the construction of a barricade on a slope in the area will cause soil erosion and result in a landslide.
Wendy Leong, an interior designer who works from home, said she and her husband bought their house in 2001 and they were aware that part of the land where their garden was, belonged to the Government.
“Now, a quantity surveyor has been appointed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) to build a wall,” she said.
Leong said the residents had been planting grass, trees and flowering bushes on the slope to prevent soil erosion.
“We sent a letter to TNB asking why residents were not informed about the building of the wall. We received a notice on Jan 19 from TNB asking us to vacate the land by Jan 31,” she said, adding that she and her husband had made an appointment to see TNB officials on Jan 26.
“We met property services department unit head Wan Nor Azman Mohamed Esa and were informed that a 0.6m high concrete wall and 2.1m-high chain link fence would be built for security reasons.
“He advised us to appeal to TNB’S Corporate Services Division.
“Our second letter on Feb 2 to corporate services division manager Md Jailani Abas did not get any response, but we were given a verbal assurance by Wan Nor Azman that they would look into our appeal,” said Leong.
However, she said contractors chopped off three flowering bushes on Feb 7.
Subsequently, the third letter of protest was sent on Feb 8 to Md Jailani, but contractors felled the trees on the other side of a retaining wall on Feb 11.
“Workers are constructing a wooden structure for the frame to hold the concrete,” said Leong, adding that by that time, the fourth letter of protest had been submitted.
Another resident S. Vijaya Kumar, 62, said they were concerned that any disturbance would cause instability to the already fragile slope.
“Why now after so many years? We understand that it is for security reasons, but why can’t TNB consider realigning it?” asked Kumar.
“Parking is already an issue here and neighbours are not on good terms due to this. The space for at least eight cars will be lost because of the project,” said Vijaya, adding that Jalan Senangin was a dead-end road with a fire hydrant at the end of the street.
“It will be difficult for a fire engine to enter during an emergency, if extra cars are parked along the road.
Maria Ariff, 62, said she hoped that TNB would consider their appeal and realign the barricade to stop soil erosion.
“A hillslope in Jalan Bilis nearby is being eroded. Water was seeping underground and it had ruined the walls and furniture in my house,” said Maria, who understood what her neighbours were going through.
“I have sent so many appeal letters to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) requesting them to build a better drainage system and after many years, we finally saw it come through,” said Maria, thanking DBKL for their good work.
Thirteen houses will be affected if construction work on the barricade continues.
TNB had not put up any signboard to inform residents of their work.
There is evidence of soil erosion where TNB had started the construction of the barricade.
When contacted, a TNB representative said they would have to look into the case before giving any comment.