RESIDENTS and shop owners in Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur, are hoping that they can stay put despite talk that the construction of the Sungei Besi Expressway (Besraya) will take up parts of the area.
The proposed highway extension, which is scheduled to begin later this year, will take up a huge portion of Jalan Tiga, which is known for its stretch of stalls selling the popular steamed fish head.
On Saturday, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai visited the area to listen to the community?s grouses and complaints concerning the proposed 12.3km project.
Tan said the area had a long history of housing businesses, including, food manufacturers, car workshops and showrooms as well as longstanding food stalls.
?Soon, the occupants of the residential, business and factory land will be required to move out ? whether some of them or all of them, depending on their location.
?However, we feel that if private land has to be acquired for the project, then the government should at least provide compensation to the owners,? Tan said.
He added that Jalan Chan Sow Lin was known to be the oldest and biggest hub for small-scale and medium-scale industries in the city.
?There are more than 100 hawkers here, and most of them will be affected by the move,? he noted.
He said it would be good if the developer of the project could build a food court to house all of them, as part of an effort to retain the special features in the area. It will also serve as a centre where the local community can gather.
According to Tan, the area was earmarked for the Auto City in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2020 a few years back, but he had heard nothing about the highly ambitious project since then as it was never mentioned again.
Tan added that he was, however, told the area would be a site for mixed development.
?When it was announced that it would be turned into an Auto City, many businessmen invested here by opening big car showrooms, but until today, we know nothing about it,? said Tan, who hoped the Government would make public its plans for the area soon.
Tan said he would request the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) to share details of the project with the community in the area before construction work begins, and allowresidents to give their views to the board.