Residents halt marking of land for development

HOLES were dug up on a field in Kampung Ampar Tenang in Dengkil, Selangor, on Aug 24 in what looked like an attempt to demarcate the area.

Residents who saw the work in progress managed to put a stop to it before the barriers were put up.

They have been appealing to the landowner for over a decade to retain the field as it is and to award it to SJK (T) Ladang Ampar Tenang located next to it.

The school’s former Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairman Datuk V. Gunalan said there was only one field in the village and it was used for sporting activities.

“The field is very important to the people here, especially for the children and youth, who use it to play football.

“There are about 180 houses in the village. Local football clubs use this field as their training ground too.

“The field is not only being used by the villagers, but also by outsiders.

“If the field is taken away, where will the people go?” he said during a press conference at the site.

Papparaidu (right) looking through some documents regarding the field issue.

StarMetro reported on this issue on July 30 last year in an article with the headline ‘Field of Dreams’ where Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) president Datuk Abd Hamid Hussain said the field would be surrendered to the municipal council.

Gunalan said there were plans to downsize the field before being surrendered to the council.

“I believe a commercial development has been planned on one part of the field that is now being demarcated.

“Only the other part would be surrendered to MPSepang.

“We are against the idea of any development, as it will not only deprive us of the field, but also increase the risk of flooding in the village.

“The village is surrounded by development built on higher ground.

“If more areas are taken up for development, where will the water flow when it rains? It will flood the school and the village,” said Gunalan.

“If the field is given to the school, the field will be retained in its current state,” he added.

SJK (T) Ladang Ampar Tenang PTA chairman Chinnakutty Perumal said if the field was given to the school, they would not limit access for school use only, but also open it for outsiders to use the facility.

Selangor human resources and poverty eradication committee chairman V. Papparaidu visited the site on Aug 25.

Papparaidu, who is also the state Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh and Taoist religions special committee co-chairman, said he would need to discuss the matter with all stakeholders before making any comments.

“I need to know the details from the local authorities first.

“I have also been informed that there are drainage problems in the village due to development in the surrounding area, which need to be looked into as well.

He said he would arrange a meeting soon with landowner Sime Darby Property, MPSepang, the Sepang District and Land Office, the school’s PTA and management board as well as residents’ representatives to discuss the field and drainage issue.

The village and field are located near Serenia City, a developing township under Sime Darby Property.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Serenia City said a total of 0.51ha land had been surrendered to MPSepang as part of the local council’s directive for public and school use.

“This decision supports both the community and local educational institution.

“Our actions have been guided by the approvals obtained from the relevant authorities, ensuring that all our development plans are in strict compliance with all rules and regulations.

“We have closely coordinated with local authorities and followed due process to meet community needs,” said the spokesperson.