By Azian Aziz
GOMBAK, Feb 4 — The opening of the new Jalan Raintree in Taman Raintree, Batu Caves here helps in reducing traffic congestion in several villages and surrounding residential areas during peak hours and the festive season, especially for upcoming Thaipusam.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said the new road that was opened for use a few days ago was also an alternative route and a shortcut for the residents of Kampung Laksamana and Gombak Permai to get to the commuter station, the Batu Caves temple and the adjacent housing areas.
“Although this is an alternative route, it is actually a main route for people in the surrounding area. I believe this route can also help move forward some of the state government’s plans.
“The upcoming ones are the Senior Citizen Activity Centre (PAWE) in addition to the new housing area in Gombak Permai as well as Kampung Temenggung and Wira Damai Islamic Complex which are expected to be completed between three and five years from now,” he said during the launch of Jalan Raintree this afternoon.
Amirudin also thanked the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) for successfully completing the road construction that had been delayed previously.
“Previously, we had set the contribution that developers in the surrounding area needed to make to complete this route, but there were developers who did not pay and were late. In the end, the amount that was collected was only RM700,000 out of the total cost of RM1.96 million.
“This is also a General Election (GE) promise for the State Assembly,” he added.
Amirudin said that the opening of this road also helped resolve some complaints from residents around Taman Raintree.
“Previously, this area was favoured by garbage collectors and caused residents to have to deal with bad smells, open burning activities and trespassing,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amirudin announced that he will be providing free mini transportation for residents of Sungai Tua state constituency to commuter stations, government offices and hospitals.
He said they are collecting several vehicles such as minibuses and vans to realise the matter.
“We will use the existing budget in 2023.
“The mini vehicles will connect the people with several main administrative centres such as MPS, District and Land offices, health centres and so on, according to the needs and wishes of the community,” he said.
Amirudin, who is also the Sungai Tua state assemblyman added that the mini vehicles will not only follow the Selangor Smart Bus main route, but will also go to areas where there are no public bus services.
