By Danial Dzulkifly
THE already thriving and diverse town of Kota Damansara, with its modern amenities, green spaces, and strong community ties, is anticipated to undergo more development in the coming months.
Its newly-elected state representative, Izuan Kasim, is unwavering in his belief that comprehensive public infrastructure, especially vital connecting routes, is necessary in light of the upcoming projects in the area, particularly the mixed-commercial project, Kwasa Damansara.
The proposed township is earmarked to sit adjacent to both the Kota Damansara and Subang Bestari townships, which come under the administration of his state constituency.
Izuan stressed the importance of ensuring that the interconnecting roads linking these townships are planned and built well, ahead of Kwasa Damansara’s aggressive construction timeline, which sets its opening for 2030.
He said this would improve traffic flow and prevent future congestion issues.
“There are three ‘missing links’ that have yet to be constructed in these areas. They are supposed to be built by the Shah Alam City Council in collaboration with the developers and the Public Works Department.
“Two of these roads have not been constructed by developers because that particular area hasn’t been developed, but this affects the residents of both Subang Bestari and Kota Damansara and even those in Subang Perdana,” he told Selangor Journal recently.
Izuan said although the project is slated to be completed by 2030, he is determined to work closely with the local council and the state administration to see that the proposed roads are built.
“The road connecting Persiaran Cakerawala and Kwasa Land Sdn Bhd will help reduce traffic congestion in Subang Bestari. This is one of the long-term plans for Subang Bestari, at the very least,” he said.
The Kwasa Damansara township, spearheaded by the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) with its new headquarters serving as a key landmark there, occupies a total land area of about 1,064 hectares, comprising both freehold and leasehold properties.
The EPF Tower, which was completed in June 2022, sits on a 2.1-hectare plot.
Kwasa Damansara is set to become one of the most environmentally friendly townships in the Klang Valley, with its green buildings and conservation efforts aimed at preserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the place.
For Kota Damansara, at least in the immediate term, Izuan said he is advocating for the maintenance of Persiaran Mahogani, which is considered a main road that connects the major neighbourhoods and roads there.
Izuan explained that as of this year, according to the Malaysian Road Records Information (Marris), there has yet to be a resurfacing project scheduled for Persiaran Mahogani, something which he will rectify.
Engaging with residents
Since his appointment as state assemblyman on August 21, Izuan has hit the ground running. Aside from making development plans, he is also embarking on a constituency-wide tour of focal points in the community to engage with the locals.
Among his first stops are schools in Kota Damansara, where he aims to understand the challenges faced by the teachers and to listen to the concerns voiced by parents.
“The education issue is intrinsically linked to today’s schools, and I aim to identify the problems they encounter. This includes concerns voiced by head-teachers and parents, not solely about infrastructure but also regarding potential community collaborations.
“Beyond the usual concerns about infrastructure and basic learning necessities, some schools, for instance, have autism classes that desperately need air conditioning.
“Without it, students may become agitated, particularly in the heat. Similarly, there are motor skills classes; it’s not solely about reading, but also providing classes tailored to their motor skill needs,” he said.
Izuan is also touring local mosques, which have evolved beyond just places of religious congregation to become comprehensive community hubs, each facing its own set of unique challenges.
“We cannot ignore that 60 per cent of Kota Damansara’s population is Malay. Mosques aren’t merely places of worship; they’ve transformed into all-encompassing community centres.
“These particular mosques predominantly serve the elderly, and through my visits, I’ve gained insight into the wider community issues that necessitate support,” he said.
Moving forward, Izuan is keen to engage with local youth associations established within Kota Damansara rather than the major organisations based in the state.
“This is because I want to understand their concerns and the challenges they face here and how I can support or assist them,” he said.
During the election campaign in August, Izuan made a firm commitment to concentrate on local issues and solutions, steering clear of race and religious debates.
Despite concerns about his status as a non-local, the 32-year-old has emphasised his dedication to community service.
His campaign slogan, ‘Kota Damansara, Our City,’ underscores his proactive approach towards constituency work.
Izuan won the state seat with a 5,694 vote majority against his closest rival, Radzlan Jalaludin, from Perikatan Nasional.
