Feedback Reminder For LRT Extension

The public display period for the LRT extension plan will come to a close on Dec 14.

It is important that the public give feedback on the proposed plan.

While residents of Petaling Jaya, Kelana Jaya, Kinrara, Puchong, Subang Jaya, USJ, Putra Heights and Shah Alam have the most at stake, all residents in the Klang Valley will be affected by the choices that are made.

Therefore, all residents should feel comfortable in giving feedback.

The Association for the Improvement of Mass-Transit (Transit) would like to point out that the public display of the LRT extension plan (and for all railway projects) is mandated by the Department of Railways and, therefore, receiving feedback is Prasarana’s responsibility.

According to the project notice, all feedback has to be submitted to the director-general, Department of Railways in writing on or before Dec 14.

To the best of our knowledge, the Department of Railways has no “official form” for the submission of feedback on the public display of railway projects.

Given that there are currently three public displays for four railway projects (the two LRT extensions, Seremban-Gemas electrification and double-tracking and the Ipoh-Padang Besar electrification and double-tracking) happening right now, this is actually a major problem.

Given the number of current projects on public display, the Department of Railways should have developed an official feedback form by now that all members of the public can use.

But as there is no “official form” then the recent statement from Prasarana could cause some confusion.

Again, the public notice simply states that “all comments or objections to the project must be submitted in writing to the director-general of the Department of Railways on or before Dec 14, 2009.”

There is nothing that suggests any “official form” nor is there anything to say that e-mail feedback at the e-mail address lrtextensionfeedback@dor.gov.my or feedback sent in using the feedback forms on the website http://lrtextension.com/ will be considered official, since soft copies are technically not “in writing.”

Transit hopes the Department of Railways director-general will state directly what is “official” or not “official” so that there will be no confusion and the public will not be discouraged for taking the initative to provide feedback.

In the meantime, we urge the public to give feedback on the LRT extension in writing to the director-general, Department of Railways.

Source: The Star