Don’t cement, pave our neighbourhood green spaces: Residents sign petition

A small, quiet neighbourhood in Tanjung Bungah has come out strongly against the laying of concrete and paving on their small park and green strips near their homes.

Twenty-six residents have signed a petition addressed to the Public Works Department (JKR) and the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) saying NO to the ill-conceived plan.

The petition reads:

Kami, penduduk-penduduk di kawasan Jalan Taman SeaView, Waburton, Pakawali dan Pelangi membantah sebarang cadangan untuk meletak simen di atas tempat hijau di depan rumah kita. (We, the residents of Jalan Taman SeaView, Waburton, Pakawali and Pelangi oppose any plan to lay concrete/cement on the green spaces/strips in front of our homes.)

This is what happens when questionable projects are introduced which are not wanted by residents. This is what happens when there is no participatory decision making and zero consultation with residents.

I would be the first one to support decent pavements in town, but as you can see here, there is virtually no one using the pavements most of the day. It is hardly a priority area that you have to build a pavement around a little green, shrinking the little park in the process.

So who approved this project complete with long stretches of railings in the middle of a quiet neighbourhood? Who profits/benefits from the contract?

‘Development’ for whom?

Congratulations to the residents for taking a firm stand!