Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh (left) and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo (right) speak on claims that plot ratios in Subang Jaya are due to increase dramatically. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Raymund Wong, October 18, 2015. – See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/citynews/greater-kl/article/yeoh-denies-approval-given-for-increased-plot-ratios-in-subang-jaya#sthash.FKjtfrkh.dpuf
Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) has not given approval to increase the population density in the district, Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh said today, refuting claims made in an English-language daily recently.
She said the news report stating that MPSJ had set new guidelines for transit-oriented development (TOD), allowing for residential developments to increase the plot ratio from 1:4 to 1:8, was not accurate.
“The state planning committee has approved a guideline that will allow TOD, 400m away from LRT stations. However, when it comes down to MPSJ, it needs to be approved by the full board first,” she said.
Yeoh said that, after speaking to MPSJ president Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad, he had informed her that the council had not given approval for the plot ratio of 1:8 yet and was waiting for the light rail transit (LRT) line extension to be completed and operating first.
According to Yeoh, Nor Hisham had told her that only after the LRT was complete, and the council had gauged and studied whether traffic congestion had decreased, would the matter be brought forth to the full board.
“For the landscape of Subang Jaya we have the LRT, which is not complete and the bus rapid transit (BRT), which has been operating for a few months. BRT has in no way helped the traffic congestion because there aren’t enough people using it due to the pricey fares.
“So it cannot be assumed that just because there is LRT, it would help,” she said.
Yeoh also said that by allowing developers a blanket plot ratio of 1:8, developers may end up abusing it.
“I know for a fact the available land in Subang Jaya is owned by massive developers, and massive developers are not going to build low cost housing.
“I am not against a higher plot ratio for TOD but in Subang jaya it must be for the right target group of people like for poor and low income families who use public transportation,” she said adding that the state planning committee needed to better communicate with the local assemblymen.
“I was surprised when I read it in the news, there has to be better communication and we (assemblymen) cannot just find out from the media,” she said, adding that a meeting between the local assemblymen in the areas effected, and the committee would be held on October 21.
Meanwhile, Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo said the state government needed to address traffic and congestion before considering increasing the plot ratio for TOD.
“By and large, we find that the people of Puchong are against it. Puchong is not ready for this type of development, because there are serious traffic problems in and around Puchong. These are problems that need to be dealt with first,” he said.
Gobind said that although MRT and LRT were nearing completion, it would take time to see how they would affect traffic congestion.
“Many people live very far from the LRT and MRT stations. There are issues of connectivity.
“The Selangor government needs to focus on what needs to be done first; congestion and traffic problems. Once there is a solution for that, we can talk about plot ratio,” he said.
Gobind also said that a blueprint for traffic congestion needed to be made to have a better idea on how developments and projects would help or hinder the traffic problems.
“I have spoken to the menteri besar about it and he is agreeable… what form it will take is something that we will sit down and discuss,” he said. – October 18, 2015.
selangoronline.com 
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