MPSJ Orders Developer To Rectify Problem At Taman Mutiara Puchong

Chanelling the rain water into the lake is not the proper way to resolve the soil erosion problem at bank of the lake near Taman Mutiara Puchong, according to Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) engineering department deputy director Adnan Derahman.

“There should be no outlet discharging water into the lake. It is an offence under the law and it will also further induce the soil erosion problem,” he said.

Adnan said this during a meeting of the MPSJ with residents of Taman Mutiara Puchong and nearby housing estates and the developers of the housing projects around the lake.

MPSJ deputy president Mohamad Yusoff Ghazali chaired the meeting held at the MPSJ complex in Subang Jaya on Wednesday.

The soil erosion problem was first highlighted in StarMetro in July last year.

The developer’s company was featured in another news report on Jan 6 this year that the problem was caused by rain water flowing from the landscaped area into the lake.

The company has proposed to collect the water into a sump and then channel the water through pipes directly into the pond.

The residents have confirmed that the company has installed the pipes but they want the council to come out with a permanent solution to the problem.

In response, Adnan instructed the company to cover up the drains at the landscaped area.

“The level of the land should be raised so that the water will flow in an opposite direction, instead of flowing into the lake and worsen the soil erosion problem,” he said.

The residents, however, expressed concern that flooding would occur should the water flow into the residential area.

“Due to clogged drains, flood happens during downpours and the water covers up the roads and back lanes,” resident Michael Yeoh said.

Yeoh is the Taman Mutiara Puchong residents’ association assistant secretary and JKP Zone 9 vice-chairman.

Adnan then told the company to clean up the drainage system, giving it three days to submit its work programme to the MPSJ and a further 14 days to rectify the soil erosion problem. During the meeting, it was also revealed that the third phase of the housing project in Taman Mutiara Puchong has yet to be handed over to the MPSJ.

Adnan said the MPSJ would study and evaluate the clogged drains and soil erosion problems before receiving the project from the developer.

“We will conduct checks on the project based on the residents’ complaints,” he said.

Source: The Star

Lake now the pride of Puchong folk

It was once an eyesore but the lake near Taman Mutiara Puchong has now become a landmark that the residents can be proud of. A year ago, StarMetro highlighted the sorry state of the lake, which was polluted by construction debris and rubbish.

Fish in the lake died and the stench reached the residential areas nearby, making the residents both worried and angry.
“We bought the houses because we believed that there will be a beautiful lake in the area, as illustrated in the brochures,” said resident Gerard Lim, who brought up the matter last year.

The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) had taken action against the developers for illegal dumping and the fine was used to clean up the lake.

The developer of Taman Mutiara Puchong has also landscaped the edge of the lake with perimeter fencing, benches, shrubs, lawns and a proper walkway of about 300m.

There is also a platform for the residents to view the scenery.

Lim said the residents were pleased with the current state of the lake.

“On a sunny day, the sunset here is very beautiful,” he said, gesturing at the shimmer of sunlight on the lake. The lake has 300m-long walkway with benches and plants lining the sides.

During StarMetro's visit to the lake recently, birds could also be seen gliding on the water surface in search of fish.
However, Lim pointed out that soil had eroded at certain spots of the lake's edge.

“Land reclamation was done previously on the lake, but the foundation was clearly not strong enough,” he said.

The residents association is hoping that MPSJ could put rocks or plant suitable trees along the lake to hold the soil together to prevent further erosion.

“The area is dark at night so we hope streetlights can be installed, too,” Lim said.

He added that there were still some irresponsible contractors who would climb over the barrier to throw debris into the lake.

“The residents association has to be alert to prevent these cases from happening,” he said.

MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan said the council would first determine whether the said problems should be tackled by the developer. “If not, we will look into the matter,” he said.

Source: The Star, 19 July 2008