Socio-Economic Impacts

Whether the project implementation will result in positive or adverse impacts on the socio-economic environment, several factors need to be taken into consideration. These include factors pertaining to the perception of the respondents toward the project development, the type of project to be implemented and the distance of the Project site from the established settlements. Of particular concern are the potential adverse impacts on those residents staying near to the KIDEX alignment.

During the construction phase, the impacts anticipated are as follows:

6.3.10.1 Aesthetic

The construction activities that would create an aesthetic impact include land preparation which involves removal of existing utilities / structures, piling and construction of viaducts and platforms. Work activities will cause a deterioration of the aesthetic of the area as construction materials and debris will be placed around the working area of Project site.

6.3.10.2 Safety and Risks Public Health and Safety

On the whole, the project is not likely to cause any significant detrimental health effects to the public.

Any potential minor impact on public health and safety is likely to occur during the construction phase of the proposed Project being mainly due to the presence of heavy vehicles/machineries (i.e.

bulldozers, trucks, mixers, etc.). The improper disposal of sewage and solid waste at the construction site could provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies and rats that may become a health hazard to local residents. The movement of heavy vehicles entering and exiting the construction site could also be a hazard to the safety of the local populace if no proper traffic management plan is implemented.

Occupational Health and Safety

Potential occupational hazards at construction sites pose a threat to the health and safety of the construction workers. Continuous exposure to hazards such as noise, fumes and dust emissions are likely to cause adverse health effects to workers. In addition, improper management of sanitary facilities such as sewage and solid waste may affect the general health of workers.

6.3.10.3 Business Opportunities / Employment

An immediate potential benefit of the proposed Project to the local population is the generation of employment and business opportunities. There will be more business opportunities for the locals to meet the demand of the workers at the work site. While more jobs are expected to be generated, the effect of the spin-off could positively affect the economic status and income levels of the local communities. Raw materials, machinery and equipment required for the construction of the proposed

development will also create business opportunities for the local suppliers and contractors. This means that there will be business opportunities for the locals to be involved in.

The construction phase will require manual workers, skilled workers and professionals. The majority will be manual unskilled labour required for the site preparation and construction-related activities. The work force can be supplied from the local population. However, foreign workers will also be recruited if there are not enough local workers. With the arrival of any significant numbers of foreign/out-of-station workers, there will be a significant increase in the demand for public services and supplies.

The increase in the arrival of foreign as well as non-local workers in search of jobs at the Project site may affect the cost of living in the immediate area and the impact will most probably be felt by the locals and can also be a source of their discontent towards these new migrant workers. A result of the subsequent increase in demand for accommodation will be an increase in prices of rents (houses) and services.

There is also the possibility that cultural and language differences among the local population and foreign workers may lead to social issues. In addition, any large numbers of workers (foreign and local) at the Project site could be wrongly perceived by locals as the cause of any increase in the incidence of thefts around the residential area. There is also the possibility of the occurrence of non-vector-borne diseases when foreign workers are brought in to work at the Project site without proper medical screening being performed prior to their arrival.

6.3.10.4 Land Acquisition

The adverse social impact of the proposed project in terms of settlement relocation is not generally significant since it does not involve any large scale displacement of villages or communities. However, a total of 290 lots with a total of 15.15 hectares will be affected. Of these, 288 lots are private land occupying 14.98 hectares. The land acquisition will also involve 2 lots of federal land occupying 0.17 hectares.

The impacts envisaged include social disruption and inconvenience due to acquisition of any affected buildings. The impacts would include the following:

 The displacement will cause some hardship and resentment among the residents due to loss of their accommodation – most are either brick terrace houses or bungalows.

 Many of them anticipate problems of adjustment to new areas. Adjusting to a new environment may not be easy to some of the residents as some of them have stayed in the area for long periods.

 From the socio-cultural viewpoint, displacement of the residents by the proposed development implies a drastic change in their lifestyles and living. The affected residents may initially suffer some psychological effect as soon as they know that they have to move to a new place/house.

This problem, however, might be resolved by good public relation activities prior to the relocation period.

 Land acquisition will not involve any religious properties such as churches temples and mosques.

 Acquisition for part of the school grounds of SK Sri Petaling and SMK (L) Bukit Bintang is required.

However, no school buildings will be acquired.

 No major community severance issues for this alignment as most of the proposed alignment will travel above existing road medians and road reserves.

 Some residential and commercial lots will be acquired as summarized in Table 6.8. Lots to be

Table 6.8: Residential and Commercial Lots Involved in Land Acquisition

Area Building Type Acquisition Type Number of lots

Pekan Kayu Ara Concrete House Partial 1

Section 9 Bandar PJ 1 Storey Terraced Houses Complete 9

2 Storey Terraced Houses Complete 1

Section 39 Bandar PJ

(Section 19) 2 Storey Terraced Houses Complete 2

13 Storey Flats Partial 1

4 Storey Shop Houses Complete 22

2 Storey Shop Houses Complete 4

Section 14 Bandar PJ Terraced Houses Complete 14

Section 8 Bandar PJ 5 Storey Shop Houses Complete 1

Partial 1

4 Storey Shop Houses Complete 7

4 Storey Shops Complete 3

Partial 1

Concrete Houses Partial 5

Section 28 Bandar PJ

(Section 51) Shops Partial 4

Bandar PJ Selatan Terraced Houses Partial 1

Shops Complete 8

Partial 1

Pekan Puchong Jaya 3 Storey Shops Partial 1

Pekan Kinrara 2 Storey Terraced Houses Complete 1

Partial 2

1 Storey Terraced Houses Complete 8

Partial 1

2 Storey Bungalow Partial 2

The location of the affected lots described above is shown in the land acquisition plans attached in Appendix 4. Any land acquisition exercise must adhere to the Land Acquisition Act and is to be carried out by the government.

6.3.10.5 Socio Economy

The social impact consequence from the compulsory acquisition of land will necessitate the relocation of occupants or residents of buildings / houses. Where such land has been occupied for long periods of time, especially residential buildings, the relocation may cause an uprooting of familiar social ties that is generally not well accepted even when fair and adequate compensation has been provided for. The problem is further amplified if large numbers of land lots are involved and comprise a significant portion of the local community.

The construction phase may bring about some positive benefits to the local community in terms of increased activity and a requirement for small supplies and increase in retail spending from the increased number of workers. However, the general negative impacts will be temporary disruption to local traffic, causing increased congestion along the affected roads and impaired aesthetics, especially at areas which are busy commercial areas now. During the construction of the viaducts at the road median, for safety reasons, the temporary closure of certain roads or short stretches of the affected roads in stages is required. This would cause an increase in traffic congestion as well as possibly restrict or even sever accessibility to local residents and commercial operators along the affected

roads. Some of the roads like the Jalan Semangat and Jalan Penchala area may experience major traffic management problems due to lane closures.

Toll gates are proposed at the existing NKVE‟s Damansara Toll area, above the area and on part of Jalan Harapan between Section 17 and Section 19 (CH 3020 to CH 3400), and the green area near Taman Dato Harun of Petaling Jaya PJS 2 (CH 9640 to CH 10000). The land area around the proposed Toll Gates will be fenced for security reasons and this area will not be accessible as a throughway for local residents. This will hinder the free access to and fro between those areas.