bavanim@thestar.com.my
Photo by P.NATHAN
STAKEHOLDERS in Bukit Bintang whose property and business are affected by the Klang Valley My Rapid Transit (MRT) project want the Government to revert to its original plan to build two MRT stations in Bukit Bintang, instead of one in Bukit Bintang Central.
Under the new plan at least 30 property owners would have to be relocated for the project.
About 100 people comprising property owners, traders, tenants and workers in the shopping hub took to the streets at 10.30am yesterday to protest against the proposed acquisition of their property for the MRT project.
The 30-minute protest was led by the Federal Territory 1Malaysia MCA Task Force deputy team leader Frankie Gan.
Gan said the MRT’s original proposed plan was to build two stations — one in Bukit Bintang (East) on an empty land near Pavilion KL and another in Bukit Bintang (West) near Pudu.
“However, after MRT Co (the new project and asset owner) took over the project there was a new plan to incorporate both stations into one.
“The new proposed station will be built near the spot where the McDonalds is located and this would directly affect 30 shoplots,’’ added Gan.
Gan said the stakeholders were unhappy with the new plan and wanted the Government to revert to the original plan of having two stations in Bukit Bintang.
“The property owners believe that the new plan would cause congestion,” he said.
Bukit Bintang Land Aquisition Pro tem Action Committee chairman Datuk Chong Peng Wah said the negative impact of tearing down the shops would far outweigh the benefits of having the MRT.
Speaking up: The business owners in Jalan Bukit Bintang expressing their unhappiness over the proposed acquisition.“Bukit Bintang did not become the happening hub it is today by accident. It is what it is today due to the hard work of the traders and businesses.
“What would happen to the livelihood of the thousands of people working here? This is not just an entertainment centre but also a tourist hub. We are not against development but I think the Government must listen to the views of the people now,’’ added Chong.
Ship restaurant owner Foo Shou Jee said it was not right for the Government to sideline the operators who have been in the area since the 1970’s.
“The Ship is a landmark here since it opened 40 years ago,’’ Foo said.
Honey Bake owner Chang Hee Jaw said his bakery had been operating for 32 years and what the project owners were doing was not right.
Zainah Zain, who runs a travel agency, said the Government could not just tear down the old businesses and replace it with faceless structures.
The owners also said they were not informed about the project and that their properties were not included during the three-month public display period.
It is believed that at least two fast-food restaurants, McDonald’s and KFC, a bakery, several restaurants and travel agencies would be affected by the project.
MMC-Gamuda JV Sdn Bhd was appointed as the Project Delivery Partner to manage the project and the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to supervise the project.
The Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) line spans 51km of which 9.5km will be underground with 31 stations.
Work on the SBK line would begin next month. The multi-billion ringgit project is expected to be completed in 2016 and begin operations in January 2017.
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