Club clears air on construction work near Puchong trail

Construction and land-clearing activities near Wawasan Hill Trail in Puchong are for an agricultural project approved by the authorities.

Kelab Pembimbing Rakan Puchong patron and advisor Mohd Aniff Mohamad Sharif clarified the status of the project after hikers raised concerns,

“Our club is undertaking a project to plant cash crops on land belonging to the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).

“The 1.2ha project sits on a 2.8ha site that’s been gazetted as a Muslim cemetery.

“The project was approved by JAIS and planning permission was granted by Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ).”

The three-year lease by JAIS is from May 2022 until May 2025 for the agriculture project, he said, adding there was a possibility of extending the lease.

Mohd Aniff said the agricultural project would allow club members to learn how to plant brinjal, chilli, watermelon and other produce that can be farmed and harvested within two to three months.

“We are a welfare-oriented club that assists people in need.

Construction work is ongoing to build an access road connecting one end of Persiaran Bukit to the agriculture project site. This has affected access to the popular Wawasan Hill Trail in Puchong.‒ JADE CHAN/ The Star

“Part of the produce that we grow will be distributed to local mosques and charities.

“Some 30 to 60 members have expressed interest in participating and we will be getting advice from Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute’s (Mardi) for the project.”

MBSJ Zone 16 councillor George Yap Kok Weng said the initial stage of the project involved construction of a 12m access road connecting one end of Persiaran Bukit to the project site, located behind SJK(C) Kheng Chee.

“The club will also be building a store, toilet and shed for the project,” he said during a press conference near the site.

“MBSJ’s Engineering Department will ensure construction work is carried out according to specifications and does not encroach onto other people’s land.

“However, since construction work is blocking access to the hiking trail, Kelab Pembimbing Rakan Puchong has agreed to work with Wawasan Forest Community Society to help move the entrance and exit points on the trail.”

Wawasan Hill Trail near Persiaran Bukit is popular with outdoor enthusiasts in the Klang Valley.

Wawasan Forest Community Society volunteers help to maintain the trail and assist authorities to rescue hikers who run into trouble.

“Hikers are advised to stick strictly to the trail,” said society president Joe Lim.

“This is to ensure they don’t venture into unsafe areas or trespass into the forest reserve which is not open to the public.”

Mohd Aniff stressed that Kelab Pembimbing Rakan Puchong would ensure that the construction work and subsequent agriculture project complied with all regulations.

“We have briefed the two affected stakeholders about the project, namely Sri Cempaka Apartments and SJK(C) Kheng Chee.

“A signboard on the project will be placed at the construction site,” he said.

Yap said the public could access the eis.mbsj.gov.my portal for information on zoning and land use under the Subang Jaya Local Plan 2035.