Toilet tussle: Alternative sites mooted
Published: Apr 15, 2009 7:46 AM | Updated: Apr 15, 2009 11:41 AM
Shah Bandaraya MIC chairperson KP Samy has proposed three alternative locations for a row of semi-completed public toilets situated opposite the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
Shah Bandaraya MIC chairperson KP Samy has proposed three alternative locations for a row of semi-completed public toilets situated opposite the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
Prior to this, the construction of the toilets by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) had been strongly protested by NGOs and local residents until its construction was halted last week.
"The first proposed location is near the Mara bus stop. The second is at Jalan Yeo Guan Hup. The third is near a row of flower shops.
"In fact, the owners of the flower shops have been requesting for public toilets near their area," Samy told a press conference this afternoon.
He also produced a letter by the temple committee to show that they objected to the construction of the toilets.
He added that a group of NGOs, including the Malaysian Indian Welfare Association (PKIM), Bell Belia Club and Klang Action Team have submitted a letter to MPK, demanding that the council declare its position on the toilets by this week.
"If the MPK fails to declare its decision on whether they are going to proceed with the completion of the toilets, we will stage another protest," he warned.
MPK meeting this week
Contacted later, MPK administration officer Norfiza Mahfiz said the council will convene a meeting again this week to discuss whether it would press ahead with the project.
She also dismissed the suggestion that the toilets were an eyesore to the temple, a popular tourist spot, noting that they were between at least 50 and 100 meters away from the temple.
Samy repeated his refutation of Selangor exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar’s statement in local daily Sinar Harian yesterday that the protests were politically motivated.
"How could he say that the protests were politically motivated? I was not even at the scene when a group of NGOs and PKR supporters protested against the project on Sunday," he said.
He also admitted that the Klang Consumers Association (KCA) had voiced their support for the project, but added that the KCA knew little about the details of the project.
Xavier could not be reached for comments.
Prior to this, the construction of the toilets by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) had been strongly protested by NGOs and local residents until its construction was halted last week.
"The first proposed location is near the Mara bus stop. The second is at Jalan Yeo Guan Hup. The third is near a row of flower shops. "In fact, the owners of the flower shops have been requesting for public toilets near their area," Samy told a press conference this afternoon.
He also produced a letter by the temple committee to show that they objected to the construction of the toilets.
He added that a group of NGOs, including the Malaysian Indian Welfare Association (PKIM), Bell Belia Club and Klang Action Team have submitted a letter to MPK, demanding that the council declare its position on the toilets by this week.
"If the MPK fails to declare its decision on whether they are going to proceed with the completion of the toilets, we will stage another protest," he warned.
MPK meeting this week
Contacted later, MPK administration officer Norfiza Mahfiz said the council will convene a meeting again this week to discuss whether it would press ahead with the project.
She also dismissed the suggestion that the toilets were an eyesore to the temple, a popular tourist spot, noting that they were between at least 50 and 100 meters away from the temple.Samy repeated his refutation of Selangor exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar’s statement in local daily Sinar Harian yesterday that the protests were politically motivated.
"How could he say that the protests were politically motivated? I was not even at the scene when a group of NGOs and PKR supporters protested against the project on Sunday," he said.
He also admitted that the Klang Consumers Association (KCA) had voiced their support for the project, but added that the KCA knew little about the details of the project.
Xavier could not be reached for comments.
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