RESIDENTS of Bukit Rahman Putra (BRP) in Sungai Buloh are mulling legal action if a proposed expansion of a service road, which will encroach on a football field, is given the go-ahead.

BRP residents’ representative Keng Pui Kang said the legal action would be their last resort to stop the development.

“If all efforts fail, we will take the matter to court. It is to protect the only field (we have),” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Taking legal action is costly, but we are willing to raise funds for it. We are still discussing this.”

The residents are strongly opposing plans by a developer to widen a 6m road to 12m at Jalan BRP 7/2, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, which runs adjacent to the field. The expansion will encroach on the green space.

They are urging the Selangor government and Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) to cancel the project as 40,000 people in the vicinity will be affected.

The road expansion is give access to the developer to build about 6,000 single- and double-storey houses nearby.

Support letters

In January, MPS councillor Ng Kok Chuan had told the residents the project to build a new road between SMK Bukit Rahman Putra and the field on Jalan BRP 7/2 had been approved.

The residents, however, said the area was gazetted for recreational use by the Shah Alam Land and Mines Office last year.

Keng said any move to proceed with the legal action would be done after the state elections, expected to be held after June.

“We will decide after the polls as we don’t know who is going to take over,” he said.

“We also don’t know if the statements (on this project) issued by politicians previously will carry much weight.”

Keng, however, hoped they will be getting good news from the Selangor government before the state assembly is dissolved.

On May 13, the residents organised a peaceful gathering where more than 100 people turned up to oppose the project.

Keng also said to date, nine other residents’ associations adjacent to their homes have signed support letters for their objection.

“We are planning to get support from more residents’ associations. Once all the letters are collected, they will be sent to the MPS president and Selangor menteri besar (Amirudin Shari),” he said.

“We hope to meet Amirudin to hand him our memorandum opposing the project within two weeks.”

The football field encompasses basketball and sepak takraw courts, walkways and jogging tracks.

The field is used by residents of BRP, Matang Pagar, Villa Putera, Villa Puteri, Amansari, Sri Indah, Sri Putra and Kuang. – May 29, 2023.