Petaling Jaya (16 November): Developer did not fulfill its promise when they when they closed Jalan Tanjong of Tropicana four days earlier, causing 20,000 people from 19 residential areas at the vicinity to get caught in the heavy traffic jam; and nearly half of the students of SJK Damansara were late for class!

Mohamed Shukri: Developer did not fulfill its promise

“According to the notice issued by the developer, the road will be closed starting 20 November. But, the developer did not keep its promise by closing the road at 1am today,” said Mohd Shukri, the Action Group Chairman.

“The residents only realized it when they sent their children to school or when going to work this morning,” he said, adding that motorists were fumed because they were forced to take a detour, where the usual 5-minute route took them an hour.

He told reporters after he held the “Road Closure Emergency Meeting.” Representatives from 19 residential areas of Tropicana, Damansara, Bandar Utama, Kayu Ara and other areas at the vicinity attended the meeting.

As Jalan Tanjong is the main access road; with its closure, motorists had to turn into Tropicana, heading towards Bandar Utama or Bandar Utama 12 and Kampung Kayu Ara.

Residents carried placards and shouted anti-road closure slogans

He said, the Action Group Committee did propose to the Selangor government to buy the land and to allow residents to continue using the road. But, there was no response.

After the emergency meeting, more than ten residents, led by Mohamed Shukri, carried placards and shouted anti-road closure slogans. Cars that were caught in the traffic jam sounded their horns to show support for the protest.

And after work hours, those motorists who are not aware of the road closure will aggravate the traffic jam when the use this road.

Students of SJK Damansara late for class

Ong Siew Sang: Complaints from the parents

According to Mr Ong Siew Sang, the president of PIBG SJK Damansara, many parents were in the dark about the early closure on 16 November and use the usual road to send their children to school. But, they were forced to turn into Tropicana, causing their children to be half an hour late for class.

“It was too late fro me to understand the situation. The school, the management board, and PIBG had received many complaints. We shall forward our requests to the government again through the Anti-Road Closure Action Committee. ”

He said that the road closure on 20 November would not be that serious as it would be the school year-end holiday by then. The early road closure had caused difficulties to students and the working class.

Yu Xue Ming: How would the students face two examinations next Wednesday?

Resident Yu Xue Ming (45, lecturer) could not hold his anguish by slamming the developer for early road closure. He said, “There are only two roads leading to Kuala Lumpur including Jalan Tanjong. Now, only one road remains. What about the students sitting for SPM and STPM next Wednesday?”

“Moreover, with only one road serving 19 residential gardens, there would be delay in rescue efforts should there be an emergency,” he added.