She invites Penang leaders to a meal at her home so they can hear the noise from opposite Queensbay Mall, which is "twenty-four-seven".
GEORGE TOWN: Residents at a condo in Bayan Indah have been plagued by noise pollution since a reclamation project started last year at the Pantai Jerejak shorefront, in front of their building.
Baystar condo resident S. Geeta said residents had to put up with noise from the heavy vehicles and machines at the site that went on “twenty-four-seven”.
“I would like to invite state leaders to my apartment for a day, with meals provided. They can listen to the noise and experience our problem,” she said, adding that her complaints have fallen on deaf ears.
“The noise continues well after midnight. We have heard them breaking rocks after midnight too.
“The noise is loud. You can even hear it once you step out of the mall,” she told reporters this morning when she showed them the site.
The ongoing 10ha reclamation at a site opposite Queensbay Mall and overlooking Pulau Jerejak is for a 21-storey condo project, which will block Baystar residents’ view of the sea.
The project signboard at the site states that operation hours are from 7am to 11pm daily.
Geeta, who has been living in the Baystar condo since 2009, said she had complained about the noise for some time since the reclamation started, posting pictures and video of the project on social media sites, like the Facebook pages of the Penang Island City Council and the area’s elected reps.
She said she tried the local rep’s service centre too but her complaints received no response, adding that she did not know who else to turn to.
“What is the use of having elected reps when they don’t respond to you?
“The lack of response makes you feel like you are nobody and you have to put up with the development. When you raise issues like this, people think you are crazy.”
But she added that someone from the developer’s office known as Mr Tan did phone her yesterday and offered to talk about the noise.
“He said the contractor at the site had been told not to work past midnight,” she said.
Geeta, who was alone when she met the press, said other residents were also fed-up with the situation but many preferred not to speak out.
One of her neighbours, who declined to give his name, said he and his wife kept all their windows and doors shut with their air-conditioner on to minimise the noise and dust for the comfort of their toddler.
Geeta said residents protested against the project in 2014, wanting it called off, but nothing came of it.
“We have been telling the state government since two years ago that we object against the project.
“This was raised many times, and our committee also wrote to the developer but we got no replies,” she said.
She also said there were concerns that new projects in the neighbourhood would worsen the traffic condition there.
Deputy Chief Minister I Mohd Rashid Hasnon, who is also Pantai Jerejak assemblyman, said he would speak to Geeta about her grouses.
“I have no problem meeting her to talk about the problem,” he said when asked about the issue.
He said the local authorities did monitor reclamation works, but complaints about projects should be channeled to the authorities following procedures.
“She posted the complaints online (in social network sites). When it comes to projects and objections by the public, we have procedures. The authorities also need to have the details.
“But anyhow, I will contact her and if necessary, we will meet to address the issue,” he said.
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