Shop owners in Jalan 2/90, Taman Pertama, Cheras, are anxious after learning that the 37 units may be acquired for the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit Project.
Retiree Kong Ah Moy, 69, said the rental of their shop was a source of income in her old age.
“My husband and I have spent more than 20 years paying off the loan to own this shop and it came as a shock to us that the government wants to acquire this site,” said Kong.
She said they were told about the acquisition by their tenant, who saw the notice sent to the shop.
Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said some notices were pasted on walls while some on tree trunks and some left in the individual units.
About 30 owners who attended a meeting said they wanted to keep their shops.
Tan said residents should also be consulted because having the Taman Bukit Ria station in the area would result in traffic congestion and haphazard parking.
“There will also be noise pollution and if they start putting up sound barriers all over the place, it will look awkward,” he said.
He said the Land Public Transport Commission (LPTC) should instead consider using the site of the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome, opposite the shops in Jalan Cheras.
“The velodrome has not been used since it was built for the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and the site is more suitable because there will be enough space for parking as well. The petty traders there will also benefit from having the station there.
Some of the shopowners also wanted a Traffic Impact Assess-ment (TIA) and Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) for the proposed stations.
Tan said he would be holding another briefing at 10am on Sunday at the DAP headquarters in Jalan Yew for all residents and property owners who would be affected by the locations of the six MRT stations in his constituency.
He said 202 plots of land and buildings would be affected in Cheras where six stations (Cochrane, Maluri, Taman Bukit Ria, Taman Bukit Mewah, Leisure Mall, Plaza Phoenix) had been proposed.
Motorcycle shop owner Teh Sin Hock, 60, said he had spent almost 30 years building his business in the area.
“Even if they give us an attractive compensation or an alternative site, I would lose all my regular customers. Many of the businesses here have been around for a long time,” said Teh.
Last month, LPTC has issued a statement responding to similar concerns of Taman Tun Dr Ismail residents regarding land acquisition.
LPTC chief executive officer Mohd Nur Kamal had said the issue of land acquisition was governed by the Land Acquisition Act 1960 and the National Land Code and the Department of Director-General of Land and Mines (KPTG) was tasked with issuing notices pertaining to land acquisition.
“The procedures for land acquisition is for the KPTG to put up notices as close to the site as possible to inform the public that the area has been gazetted for acquisition.
“It is only after public feedback has been received and consultation undertaken with various bodies that the plots of land that may be acquired can be confirmed and the owners notified directly.
“In most cases, the actual area to be acquired will be much smaller. The procedure is the same for any piece of land that is to be acquired by the government.”
He said only after feedback was received through the public display period from Feb 14 to May 14 would a final decision be made on which particular plots of land would need to be acquired, if at all.
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