| This article appeared in the New Straits
Times, Thursday 15/11/2001 USJ
receives assurance over quarry operations
Residents of USJ23 and 26 in Subang Jaya
have been assured that the quarry which is operating close to their homes
will strictly operate within the approved stipulated times and permissible
levels of air quality and noise.
This was the response from Sime UEP
Properties Berhad (consumer and communications) general manager Raymond
Chong on behalf of its subsidiary Puchong Quarry Sdn Bhd, which operates
the quarry at USJ23.
Chong was responding to protests by
residents of USJ23 and 26, who were unhappy about the quarry's operating
hours and the noise and dust pollution generated by the operations.
In a letter faxed to the New Straits Times,
he said:
"With the well-being of residents in
mind, every effort is being taken by the operator to co-ordinate the
completion of the remaining quarry land by the end of 2002 as the quarry
land has been earmarked for development."
"To safeguard the interest of residents, the quarry operators has
appointed an independent consultant to monitor the air quality and noise
level in the vicinity of the quarry operations."
"Based on the last report submitted by the consultant in September, both
the air quality and noise level are within the permissible level
stipulated by the authorities."
"The residents can rest assured that the quarry will operate strictly
within the approved stipulated time, and permissible levels of air quality
and noise are adhered to, as the welfare of residents remains our outmost
priority."
Chong said approval had been given on Sept
18 by the Petaling District Land Office for the quarry to operate from 8am
to 10pm to speed up the quarry works.
The residents were unhappy with the
operator for operating until 10pm every night for the past three months.
Resident Beh Yong Hock said earlier, it had
only operated up to 5pm, but later extended to 6pm, and then till late at
night to about 11pm.
"The constant rumblings and dust from the
quarry, which is about 800 metres from our homes, have disturbed us and
led to sinus problems among residents, besides polluting the environment,"
he claimed.
"Earlier this year, when the quarry
operated long hours, the Residents Association sent numerous letters and
even e-mailed the quarry manager but there was no response."
"Later, the problem was brought up with the
Subang Jaya Municipal Council. The council said the quarry was not under
its jurisdiction but under the Petaling District Land Office, which issued
the operating permit," Beh said.
He said the council took the effort to
check the noise level of the operation and found that it exceed the
permissible level, following which the council issued a show-cause letter
to the operator.
"After that episode in June, the operator
stuck to their normal operating hours and worked until 6pm for three
months, but last month, they went back to operating until 10pm," Beh said |
