Petaling Jaya, 17 November – From the experience yesterday, parents and teachers heading towards SJC Damansara at Tropicana, left their homes 20 minutes earlier this morning, so as to avoid traffic jam as a result of the road closure at Jalan Tanjong.

At noon, traffic was a mess when some parents were sending their children to the school while some parents were picking up their children. Motorists caught in the 500-meter jam sounded their horns in protest.

China Press reporter visited the place and interviewed some of the motorists at the scene. Most of them said they have to leave home early to avoid the traffic jam.

At noon, when the reporter visited the scene again, the traffic was at a mess, with motorists caught in the 500-meter jam sounding their horns in protest.

500-meter jam

Motorists who were interviewed said ever since the road closure, they had to take a detour to Tropicana in order to head to Kuala Lumpur and Damansara, the journey was three kilometers extra.

Some said that the traffic used to be heavy on that road, and it became worse with only one exit now, especially during peak hours.

They felt that the developer should exercise its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by not closing the road.

Some even suggest opening Jalan Tanjong during peak hours so as to ease the traffic.

They also blasted MBPJ for allowing the road closure and not helping the residents. They said MBPJ only gave empty promises.

The developer of Bandar Utama erected a notice telling the public that the 800-meter stretch of dual-way Jalan Tanjong , being a private land, shall be closed beginning 20 November. But, the road was closed beginning 17 November, resulting over one thousand SJC Damansara students being at least 30 minutes late for class.

It was learned that the closure notice were not properly put up, with motorists having to drive right up to the barricade to realize that the road ahead was closed. It was an inconvenience to motorists as they have to make U-turns and resulted in traffic stand-still.

Earlier, MBPJ had promised to utilize its power, by assigning personnel to stand guard at the site of road closure, so as to stop the developer from closing the road.

But, only security guards assigned by the developer were seen on the site, and no MBPJ personnel were seen.

No traffic police was seen at the site of the road closure during the sending and picking hours of students and traffic was at a mess.

Mr Choo (35, parent): U turn ahead is very dangerous

“With the Jalan Tanjong road closed, the usual 10-minutes drive now takes me 20 minutes. The U turn ahead is very dangerous.”

Madam Yong (housewife): Detour is a waste of time

“The usual five-minute journey to the Jalan Tanjong traffic light now takes me 20 minutes. The detour is a waste of time. I just could not understand why the road must close.”

Mr Wong Yun Sheng (54): Leave home 20 minutes earlier

“Not a problem sending children to school, but must leave home 20 minutes earlier. I was 30 minutes late for work on Monday. ”

“The developer should consider public interests, and not to close the road at will. I am surprised why that stretch of road belongs to the developer? That showed improper planning of MBPJ.”

Madam Chew Shang Chong (42, housewife):

“I purposely leave home late when sending children to school in order to avoid traffic jam. As school holiday is near, school is quite relaxed. But, when the school reopens next year, the traffic jam will be a headache.”

Ong Siew Sang (the president of PIBG SJC Damansara): Action Group Committee lodged police report

“The people are disappointed over the non action from MBPJ. We feel that the developer should consider the interests of the people first by not closing the road.”

Mr Ho Jun Hing (SJC Damansara Headmaster)

“Traffic in the morning was quite alright. But, at noon, it was a mess. I hope the developer would open that stretch of road at noon for the convenience of the public.”