Here Comes the Heat

The current heat spell going up to 38 degrees Celsius in Subang Jaya at its peak nowadays is nothing new. The weather is vastly changing that it is so hard to predict seasons anymore. Climate change has affected global weather and to the man on the street, the heat can be very unbearable.

In Subang Jaya, this would be felt even more as we get more and more concrete being built in our once green neighbourhood. Landscaping has been replaced with hardened earth and trees felled to make way.

I have been around the completed LRT stations in SS15, SS14 and USJ7 and found that the whole look and feel below the stations very much an eyesore. The type of fences selected made the whole area feeling very cold and unfriendly. There should have been more thought in creating an oasis for all stations. Instead, we get one which further erodes the confidence of how planners do their work.

Looking at SS14, I saw how they designed the carpark bays and the pedestrian walkways fenced in. I wonder as to why they can never learn from Bandar Sunway. Bandar Sunway's landscaping is exactly what Subang Jaya needs. However, it seems that the local government and the so called politicians have still failed to require what is best for Subang Jaya.

I fear Subang Jaya would be nearing its end of being a green and clean community. The roads remain a patchwork. A bumpy ride is normal for any Subang Jayan now. Perhaps this is a sign of resignation. Perhaps this would be the new standard for Subang Jaya.

If one were to walk around SS15 and Taipan, the whole ambiance of the place has not changed other than the shops. The backlanes remain dirty and whilst some back lanes have been resurfaced, many are still in the same sorry state.

Just look at the lane between Victoria Station Steakhouse and Secret Recipe in Taipan. The road has been cut by its side and poorly patched up. The drain covers are cracking as well. The lane behind Hassan and Victoria Station has also been turned into a mini food preparation area.

Despite the years of rhetoric change, this has never changed. I think the politics of the country does not really care about the common needs. It seems that such petty issues are beyond the nationalistic fervour of politics. Perhaps it is time that power is returned to the community to elect their own local government who would take care of the 'longkang' issues.

I have also seen the quality of a wet market Subang Jaya has in SS15. It is hardly one to be proud of. The management of the wet market needs to review the layouts and cleanliness. At the top, you would get a very sorry state of a foodcourt. At night, the whole surrounding complex looks very dark and dingy. There is a police beat base outside but other than that, the complex is befitting of a definition of what Subang Jaya has become. MPSJ does not seem serious at all.

Even when you look at the open carpark behind the community hall in SS15, the facility is poorly maintained. To those who do not know, the community hall is located beside the wet market. The grass has grown here and there. Whatever happened to making a clean Subang Jaya when even SS15 and Taipan are neglected?

I have been to many town hearings. All these are just talk. I remembered once when I came to one. They would have criteria for the ones allowed in. Once inside, you would be facing the whole MPSJ and also some exco members. Whilst we appreciate the hearing, I find that the wanton intimidating scenario and the limitation of proper debate to just airing points is just ridiculous. Such hearings seem to just be that. Hearings, and then do nothing to constantly follow up.

What I can now deduce is that there is not much difference from the last election since the years we had with the other government. We only saw and felt some change between 2008 and 2013. After that, everything here in Subang Jaya seems the same as before. It seems that we are now stuck with a choice of the devil and the deep blue sea. Those who always ask for a dual choice should rethink. I think multiple choices are now better.

The Subang Jaya Lake which is also known as the Subang Ria Park has not progressed in development due to the impasse between the government and the developer. Who suffers? The community. We should blame both parties. The green lung is a forlorn entity now. I think it is time the community pressures for a solution. The park needs to be what it is there for.

If you also care to go to Puchong and come to Bandar Puteri, you would find the area just as bad. Rubbish is strewn everywhere. The same can be said with Bandar Putera Point in Putra Heights. One wonders if we have to resign ourselves to such inept service by the local government and neglected by the politicians.

I guess the taxes we pay are either not enough or are poorly managed. This brings us to the next question. What is the yearly budget for Subang Jaya? Has this been made public like the National Budget? Perhaps it is time to do so in the media. I think we need to know where our quit rent (to Pejabat Tanah) and assessment rate (to MPSJ) payments went? We want to know.

We need the local governments and the Selangor exco to take this seriously. We need the elected politicians to take this seriously. We need the nominated councilors who come primarily from political parties to take this seriously.

We are very tired and weary of the 'tidak apa' attitude as well as the blatant disregard for the community's basic request on 'longkang 'issues. This includes everything from stall management, potholes, bicycle lanes, pedestrian walkways, drainage, street lightings, cleanliness and planned and well executed governance.

Have you looked at the mirror today? Do you like what you see? It is our home and it is our choice.

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