Thursday August 2, 2007
Red tape snag to hearing
I REFER to the public hearing on July 15 organised by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) to obtain feedback from residents regarding the proposed development at Subang Ria Park in Subang Jaya.
Perhaps MPSJ should clarify the meaning of a public hearing when there are so many bureaucratic procedures placed in front of residents.
The council only allowed residents from Sections 12 to 19 of Subang Jaya to attend the hearing while those from other sections in Subang Jaya were left out.
Not all residents received a notice to attend the hearing on July 15.
I received my invitation on July 4 and was told to reply by July 6 to confirm attendance.
A few residents received the notice on July 5.Some residents had not received the notice to attend the meeting despite having submitted the Protest Form before the deadline.
Those who had received the notice were told that only one person per household would be allowed to attend the hearing.
And those who attended the hearing must bring along a copy of their assessment receipts as proof they were residents or owners of property around Subang Ria Park.
We salute MPSJ for organising a public hearing but why impose unnecessary bureaucracy to limit the number of participants.
FRUSTRATED
Subang Jaya
From: hwabeng [mailto:hwabeng1@streamyx.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:51 PM
To: 'metro@thestar.com.my'
Subject: REPLY TO LETTERS
Dear Editor,
I refer to Star Metro Mail on 2nd August 2007 written by “Frustrated” under the heading “Red tape snag to hearing”.
He complained a lot on the procedure of registering his dissent to a public hearing on Taman Subang Ria conducted by MPSJ recently. I am dismayed that he only highlighted on the negative side but did not acknowledge that this is the first public hearing in Malaysia where 1,700 residents turned up. I had anticipated the large crowd and hence a ballroom with 2,000 capacity was booked for the hearing.
Anyway, the procedure to register for the hearing is necessary. Only residents from SS12 to SS19 were allowed to register as the park is situated in this locality. Under the Town Planning Act only immediate neighbouring landowners will be invited for their views but MPSJ was kind enough to open up to a bigger audience. SS12 to SS19 covers the whole of Subang Jaya and hence no section of Subang Jaya was left out as alleged by “Frustrated” USJ, Putra Heights, Shah Alam, Puchong were not invited as they fall outside of Subang Jaya (SS12 – SS19).
Evidence of ownership is necessary in any hearing to allow only genuine owners to participate from the legal point of view. Residents were allowed to appoint consultants including lawyers to speak on their behalf. Identity is not evidence of ownership but assessment receipts or titles are. I agree that the notice to invite those who have registered to attend were sent late or some missing in the mails. Hence I had made public announcement which also appeared in Star to allow these registered owners to attend the hearing without registering but only to bring assessment receipts.
Anyway they were many who stayed outside SS12 – SS19 or without proof of ownership that came. They were allowed to enter the hall but not allowed to speak. This is to prevent any party to invalidate the hearing.
I think MPSJ and me had tried our best to conduct this hearing. There might be shortcomings but I beg for your understanding as this is the first such large scale public hearing in Malaysia. MPSJ and me have no previous experience.
Yours In Service,
Lee Hwa Beng
ADUN Subang Jaya
