Media Statement by Prasarana Negara Berhad #KLChronicle

 

Media Statement

For immediate release

UNRULY INDIVIDUALS PREVENT LEP CONTRACTORS FROM ENTERING SCHOOL

Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad (Prasarana) expresses its frustration that efforts by its contractors to enter and start construction works at SRJK Tamil Castlefield today was prevented by a group of unruly individuals, despite the company obtaining the court injunction and other relevant approvals from the authorities.

The unruly individuals brusquely removed the barricades put up by the contractors to demarcate the work area.

The individuals also had a number of scuffles with the auxiliary policemen from Prasarana, resulting in a senior officer being injured in the arm.

“We are extremely disappointed that our efforts to build the LRT Line Extension Project (LEP) have been hindered by the reckless actions of these individuals despite us obtaining the court injunction to enter part of the school compound and informing the school authorities ahead of our plan.

“This is the third time that we have made the effort to enter the site and we have stated repeatedly that we will ensure minimum interruption to the children’s studies while construction of the LEP is underway,” said Prasarana’s Group Director of Project Development Division, Encik Zulkifli Md Yusoff.

In fact, Prasarana has committed to build sound-proof barriers, improve the school’s facilities which include installing air-conditioning units at classrooms as well as improve the landscaping by planting more trees and foliage as a gesture of goodwill towards enhancing the comfort and convenience of the school children and teachers of the school.

“We are dedicated towards ensuring that the well-being of the school children and their teachers are not compromised during this period. Apart from enhancing the school’s facilities, we will employ measures to ensure safety of the school children and the public in our construction methods and practices. This will involve setting up secured and proper hoarding and safeguarding the project area, traffic management plans as well as safety notices for the public’s understanding and awareness,” Encik Zulkifli added.

As a matter of fact, in the past, there are several LRT alignments that has been built nearby schools such as :

1. Sekolah Methodist Wesley, Sentul, KL
2. SRJK (T) Appar, Jalan Merpati, KL
3. SRJK (C) Chong Kwok, Jalan Merpati, KL
4. SK (L) Jalan Batu, KL

During construction, the LRT Project contractors will only occupy 0.47 acres out of 2.8 acres of the school compound and upon completion of the construction; the five LRT piers will only occupy 20m^{2 of} of the space.  The construction of the five piers will take about 12 months to complete, barring no further disruptions in the process.

The 17.7km extension of the Ampang LRT Line, which runs from the current Sri Petaling LRT Station to the integrated Putra Heights stations, involved a 180-meter stretch that passes the edge of the SRK Tamil Castlefield school field; running parallel to the Lebuhraya Puchong Damansara (LDP) and the construction of five pillars

Pejabat Tanah dan Daerah Petaling has given the approval to Prasarana in January 2011 to enter government land within the LRT alignment and to start the construction works.

Progress of the LRT Project has been hampered by increasing demands from SRK Tamil Castlefield’s School Board. This culminated in a stalemate in the negotiation process as they would only allow entry for the LRT Project contractors if they are given a new piece of land to relocate the school plus other incentives. That sparked a series of meetings with various agencies including the state’s economic action unit (MTES), Education Ministry, Transport Ministry and the local authorities.

Ministry of Education has set a requirement that 100 percent approval from all parents must be obtained for the relocation.

On 21 November 2013, a group of 80 parents came out in the open to voice their disagreement for the relocation exercise; signing a document to state their position and voicing out their concerns for the delay of the LRT Project.

While these meetings continued, the School Board remained adamant that no work should start at the site; forcing Prasarana and its contractors into endless wait while incurring needless expenses.

Encik Zulkifli said “It is important for the public to understand that the LEP can coexist with SRK Tamil Castlefield harmoniously and there is no need for the school to be relocated in order for this project to commence. There are many benefits to consider, key of which is improved transport convenience for the students and surrounding residents to the greater LRT network in Klang Valley once it has been completed.  The LEP will alleviate traffic congestion as well as provide quick and efficient way for them to travel to work, public areas and schools.”

Implemented under the National Key Result Area (NKRA), the LEP project involves extension of both the existing LRT lines – Ampang Line and the Kelana Jaya Line.

For the Ampang Line, which would directly benefit residents in Petaling, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong and Putra Heights, the current LRT line is extended to Putra Heights integrated station.

Also with Putra Heights as the last station, the Kelana Jaya Line would be extended from the current Kelana Jaya LRT station; passing through Lembah Subang, Subang Jaya, USJ and Subang Alam near Shah Alam.

Ends