MPSJ’s budget briefing for 2009 – 2010

• MPSJ needs to focus on improving infrastructure in the Subang Jaya zone. Efforts and budget must be focused on solving traffic congestions especially in USJ 1. With new commercial units and condominiums being completed in USJ 1, traffic situation will become worse at the traffic light near Giant.
• MPSJ must also allocate funds to solve lack of car parks at Taipan and SS15 commercial areas. This point was subsequently dismissed by MPSJ. MPSJ replied that there are sufficient car parks and the traffic congestion is merely caused by drivers parking indiscriminately. While the latter is true, I strongly think that insufficient car parks is also the cause of this menace.
• MPSJ must allocate sufficient funds to curb dengue as the Subang Jaya zone has always been a hot zone. There should be no excuse of lack of funds when it comes to fighting dengue because it is a matter of life and death.
• Earlier I was informed that construction of a pedestrian bridge would cost MPSJ RM500,000 – RM700,000 per bridge. I requested for 2 pedestrian bridges to be given the priority ie. the traffic light at SS19 at Persiaran Tujuan (to avoid main traffic flow coming to a halt just to allow one person to cross the road) and one more to be constructed at USJ 6 connecting to the Metrobus hub at Persiaran Kewajipan (it is almost an impossible task for children to cross the main road and to prevent death from happening again).
• Lighting of parks must be given a priority. In a community like Subang Jaya, parks are one of the greatest assets for the residents. I want the residents to feel safe walking in the parks in the evening.
• MPSJ should also consider providing public washrooms. I cited the example of senior citizens coming out to exercise in the parks in the morning and facing the inconvenience of finding a public washroom.
• MPSJ must also improve MPSJ kiosks as traders have complained about becoming drenched whenever it rained. I also highlighted that any development of infrastructure such as this must not be half-hearted. Quality of materials must be ensured. This includes repairing pot-holes and etc.
• I also raised my concerns of CCTV. Rental of 100 units of CCTVs is RM103,333.33 per month (inclusive of maintenance fees). This matter is now being reviewed by the State Exco Ronnie Liu and I will continue to push for a review of the agreement.
• MPSJ to invest in bins with lids for lower income area ie. low cost flats to overcome serious rat problem. MPSJ rebutted that this should be the responsibility of the relevant Joint Management Body(ies). Some of these JMBs have a deficit in their accounts and this matter would not be resolved if we sit and wait for their accounts to be in a healthy state. JMB has its own set of issues (which I will not discuss here).
• I also asked for a stricter review system on non-performing contractors. If works done are not satisfactory, their contracts must not be extended and payment should be adjusted accordingly.
• Sufficient budget must also be given to solve flood problems.
• Moneys must not be wasted unnecessarily.

I will raise public transportation issues at the state level for a more wholesome solution, rather than just at Subang Jaya. Nevertheless, our councillor Theresa Ratnam Thong has also raised this at the last MPSJ full board meeting for MPSJ’s consideration.

I will continue to speak up for the best interest of residents and to ensure that their payment for assessment commensurates with quality public services.