Tuesday August 7, 2007
Registration neccesary to identify residents
I REFER to the letter that appeared in StarMetro on Aug 2 titled Red tape snag to hearing.
The writer complained about the procedure of registering for the public hearing on Taman Subang Ria carried out by the Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) recently.
It is unfortunate that he only highlighted 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 a large crowd and a ballroom with a capacity of some 2,000 people was booked for the hearing.
The registration procedure was necessary and the reason only residents from SS12 to SS19 were allowed to register was because the park is situated in this locality.
Under the Town and Country Planning Act, only immediate neighbouring landowners would be invited for their comments but MPSJ was kind enough to open up the hearing to a larger audience.
The residential areas SS12 to SS19 cover the whole of Subang Jaya, meaning that no section of Subang Jaya was left out as alleged by the writer.
Proof of ownership was necessary to enable only genuine property owners to participate.
Residents were also 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 had registered were sent late and some of the notices probably went missing.
However, I had made a public announcement that appeared in The Star to allow property owners to attend the hearing without having to register so long as they brought their receipts.
Many residing outside SS12 to SS19 or without proof of ownership turned up and they were allowed to enter the hall as observers.
This was done to prevent any party invalidating the hearing.
I would like to point out that MPSJ and myself had tried to do our best.
There might have been some shortcomings but I beg for understanding as this is the first time a public hearing involving such a high turnout has been held in Malaysia.