Saturday, May 10, 2008

Chronology of events pertaining to Bandar Mahkota Cheras toll-free access road issue

September 15, 2005: The RM16mil Bandar Mahkota Cheras road is opened by developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd with the consent of the Kajang Municipal Council. A few days later, Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga closes the road.

October 2005: Grand Saga business development and corporate affairs executive director Zainal Abidin Ali informs council that the closure is due to compensation issues with Narajaya and says the road would only be opened with a directive from the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM).

February 2006: Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents begin signature campaign to protest road closure saying they are forced to use a longer route through Bandar Sungai Long. More than 10,000 signatures are collected. Peaceful protests are also staged over the months.

September 2006: Former Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu tells Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee members that road is illegal.

December 2006: Committee members led by Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai seek a meeting with LLM representatives but are told the matter would be referred again to Samy Vellu.

January 2007: Grand Saga workers are spotted doing earthworks near site with the intention of putting up toll booths.

May 2007: Samy Vellu insists in Parliament that toll has to be collected at the access road in order to put an end to the long-standing issue.

July 2007: An emergency motion on the matter brought up by Tan Kok Wai in Parliament is rejected.

Residents led by committee chairman Tan Boon Wah visit the Prime Minister's office in Putrajaya to present a memorandum.

October 2007: Developer Narajaya files a suit against Grand Saga and the Malaysian Highway Authority at the civil division of the High Court.

April 2008: Selangor state government says road is on state land but appoints surveyors to determine who has right of way. Residents go ahead and demolish the first barricade on April 21.

May 2008: Grand Saga re-erects barricade and residents demolish it again. Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim says a meeting would be sought with the Federal Government to put an end to the issue.

May 21, 2008: Court hearing for lawsuit filed by Narajaya.