Deserted community hall in Segambut in danger of collapse

Deserted: The hall was used by the local community for various activities including regular taekwondo classes. (Photo by Sin Chew Daily)

Source: http://thestar.com.my/metro (By Kharleez zubin, 11/11/2010)
Residents and business operators around Taman City Barat in Segambut along Jalan Kuching want the authorities to either repair or demolish a badly damaged community hall located at a road junction.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng said the residents around the area have conveyed to him their fears that the hall would collapse, thus damaging vehicles or injuring passers-by. “About two months ago, a lorry ran into the hall and damaged nearly half of the building. Despite being alerted, the authorities have yet to respond,” Lim said.

The Rukun Tetangga community hall, which had been in existence for the last 20 years, was used by the local community for various activities including regular taekwondo classes. Selayang town councillor A. Murugeshu, who also attended the press conference, expressed fears that the deserted hall might turn into a place for drug addicts.

On another matter, Lim said the Taman Sri Sinar residents were unhappy when the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) put off a meeting with them without prior notice. The residents were supposed to discuss the road name changes done by DBKL. “They were asked to come for a meeting on Monday to air their frustrations and when they arrived at DBKL headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, they were told the deputy director-general for services was away in Tokyo,” Lim said.

The next meeting has been fixed for Nov 26. Lim said DBKL replaced some 20 road names in the 10-year-old housing estate last month without informing the residents. For example, the busy Jalan 2/36 Sri Bintang had been reamed Jalan Seri Bintang. Lim said the residents were not against the name changes but more annoyed over DBKL’s attitude.

However, DBKL said it had consulted several representatives of the community before replacing the road names.