Consult PJ council to avoid problems later, MRT Corp told

PETALING JAYA (May15): Former Petaling Jaya councillor Derek Fernandez is urging the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) to consult the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) on the proposed MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) line.

“While it is admirable that real attempts are being made to reduce traffic congestion by upgrading mass public transport systems through the MRT Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya lines, it is important that MRT Corp get proper expertise in planning and development control to avoid the same pitfalls that plagued both the Kidex and Dash highways,” he said, referring to the vociferous objections against the Kinrara-Damansara Expressway and the Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway.

Derek said that it was important to get the public participation component correct the first time round or the project might be saddled with substantial delays.

“While MRT Corp is carrying out publicity under Section 84 of the Road Transport Act 2010, they should also be aware of other laws affecting this proposed project, which include the Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

“An amendment to the PJ local plan will be required for this project to be legal and they need to present their proposal to the MBPJ to get approval for a public exposure of an intention to amend the local plan under Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976,” he said.

Derek said that to save time, MRT Corp should coordinate their exhibition with the exposure under Section 12A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, which is also a statutory process.

“This then will enable public feedback from both processes to be used to prepare the draft amendment to the local plan should MBPJ decide to proceed , in which event the draft amendment will be displayed for public objection and comment and gearing under Section 134 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976,” he said.

Derek said that in the past, failure to follow the proper procedures and coordinate with the council had proven fatal to some projects.

“MBPJ usually follows the planning laws strictly with strong public participation and evidence-based decision making in accordance with the intent of the Town and Country Planning Act 1976,” he said.

Members of the public will be able to give their input on the SSP Line through the public inspection (PI) which starts today.

The PI, which has commonly been referred to as a public display, is a requirement under Section 84 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010, whereby MRT Corp is required to deposit plans, sections and a book of reference related to the SSP Line with the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD).

SPAD will then display these materials for public inspection for the purpose of obtaining feedback from the public.

MRT Corp and their project delivery partner for the SSP Line, MMC-Gamuda KVMRT (PDP SSP) Sdn Bhd, will also be holding a road show at 23 other locations throughout the next three months, MRT Corp had said in a statement yesterday.

The PI booths at all locations will feature information including satellite image of planned alignment of the 52.2km line and locations of the 36 stations.

Other project information such as typical station features and layout, land acquisition plans, railway transit technical data and project construction details will be displayed during this three-month period, the statement had said.