SETAPAK residents are up in arms after learning that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had approved a food court they objected to last year.

Federal Territories MCA chief Datuk Yew Teong Look said the residents collectively objected to the food court in Jalan Prima Setapak due to concerns over traffic congestion, noise pollution and cleanliness.

“Despite the residents’ objections, a signboard was put up to inform them of the plan to convert the land into a food court.

“The 1.2ha land was an education reserve and under the care of the land office, which may have rented it out to the operator,” he said.

Yew added that Jalan Prima Setapak was a dense area with many high-rise residential blocks.

“The area is already congested. It is estimated that about 30,000 people live in Prima Setapak. There are also two temples and a school in the vicinity. Having a food court is not a good idea.

“This is not the first time a food court has been planned for the plot of land. Several years ago, another operator had eyed the area for the same purpose, but was shot down after the residents objected to it,” he said.

Several residents gathered on Aug 14 to protest the food court plan.

SJK (C) Mun Yee Parent-Teacher Association chairman Tang Loon Koon said the food court would cause heavy traffic along the two-way road, which was also one of the main access roads to the school.

“There are more than 1,500 students in this school and the area is already congested every morning and afternoon. Apart from traffic concerns, we also fear other problems such as cleanliness and noise.

“Having a food court about 100m from the school will also encourage students to spend time there and cause other social problems.

“The land should be turned into a recreational area to benefit the residents the students. We are not against the development of the land but not something that would greatly inconvenience us,” he said.

DBKL could not be contacted for comment at press time.