Semenyih bypass battle remains unresolved, landowners question who is responsible
Residents remained uncertain about who was ultimately responsible for the project, making it unclear who they should direct their questions and concerns to.
PUTRAJAYA - The dispute over the proposed Semenyih Bypass remains unresolved, with questions still surrounding whether the road alignment can be changed and which agency or party is responsible for the project.
Semenyih assemblyman Nushi Mahfodz said a meeting with the Federal Territories Department earlier today had provided useful information, but several key issues remained unclear, including the authority to decide on the road alignment.
"Alhamdulillah, I gained useful information because the Federal Territories Department director-general Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain was present at the meeting earlier today.
"He also invited the relevant parties, including the Kajang Municipal Council, Lands and Mines Office and Public-Private Partnership Unit, although the Public Works Department (JKR) was not present. Principally, I think I gained a lot of information that can help clarify the situation.
"On the road alignment, I understand that those present are not the decision-makers on whether it can be changed.
"Based on the meeting, it appears to be difficult, but I believe we need to discuss the matter with JKR and see whether there is room to propose alternatives, as the road will eventually come under JKR," he told Sinar Daily after the meeting.
Nushi also raised concerns over the status of the Malay Reserve Land affected by the project, saying it remained unclear whether the land had already been replaced.
He said he was previously informed that the replacement process was underway and was later told that it had been completed, although the information had not yet been made public.
The Malay Reserve Land is expected to be replaced with the Muslim cemetery, which he said appeared almost certain.
He also questioned whether the replacement land was of equivalent value and whether the proposed arrangement was appropriate.
"What we are questioning is whether the value is the same and whether this is an appropriate way to replace Malay Reserve Land. Based on what the civil servants explained, this is what has been allocated.
"If that is indeed the situation with the Malay Reserve Land, we want to express our disappointment," he said.
Meanwhile, Kampung Sungai Pening Action Committee adviser Datuk Siajam Buyong said residents had hoped the meeting would result in a decision to move the bypass alignment away from Kampung Sungai Pening.
However, he said no such decision was made.
"Most probably, this is because the matter falls outside the Federal Territories Department’s jurisdiction. However, they want to speed up the implementation of the Muslim cemetery project, so they also want the infrastructure in place. For now, this issue remains unresolved.
"We had earlier proposed during the meeting that the bypass should not be built through our village and that the alternative routes we proposed should be considered.
"Based on the meeting, it seems there is an understanding that further discussions can be held to resolve the issue," he told Sinar Daily.
However, Siajam said residents remained uncertain about who was ultimately responsible for the project, making it unclear who they should direct their questions and concerns to.
Although JKR had been mentioned, he said the department also appeared to be unaware of the project.
"I have referred to JKR before and asked them about it and they have no answer. So, who is the project owner and who will be responsible for this project? I do not know," he said.
Nushi and Siajam attended the meeting with the Federal Territories Department regarding the Semenyih Bypass earlier today at Menara Seri Wilayah, here.
On Sept 11, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said affected landowners would be consulted as part of the land acquisition process and could propose what they considered a suitable value for their land.
He said the project and surrounding developments were still seeking planning permission and other approvals, while land acquisition would have to be resolved before construction could proceed.
The statement came after Sinar Daily reported on Sept 9 that Kampung Sungai Pening residents opposed the current 4.3km alignment, which would affect 35 lots covering about 47.7 acres, including Malay Reserve Land.
Residents had proposed four alternative routes and called for the alignment to be reconsidered, while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said on Jan 27 that the bypass was needed to ease traffic congestion and that land acquisition issues would be addressed through replacement land and Selangor Government guarantees.
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