THE Petaling Jaya Utara MCA Community Task Force is attempting to help the Kampung Cempaka’s Federal Village and Security Development Committee (JKKKP) develop a self-help programme for the village’s youth.

Titled “Work, Live and Play” after the tagline of many SOHO (small office/home office) developments’ sales brochures, PJU parliamentary coordinator Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou said new villages in Petaling Jaya often existed on the fringe of development.

“There are three new villages in Petaling Jaya — Seri Setia, Section 17A and Kampung Cempaka.

“The problem is that there are very little amenities for youths and young adults at these settlements. Hence, we came up with the concept of ‘Work, Live and Play’, just like the SOHO developments.

“They go out and work in the city, and come back to stay with their parents.

“But there are little to no facilities allocated by the local authority or state government,” said Dr Wong.

The press conference was held in conjunction with a locally organised, annual basketball tournament held at the Kampung Cempaka covered basketball court.

“Back in 2004, we applied for funds from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, and received RM76,600 to ensure the court was level, as well as build a cover over the area so that it could be used as a multi-purpose hall,” Dr Wong added.

Social activist Chew Hoong Ling, who was also present, said the court, though basic, was also a focal site for many community events.

“We are also conducting health screenings at Kampung Cempaka.

“The last time the 1PJU service team came to do the health screening at the wet market, the turnout was so great that we ran out of test scripts,” said Chew.

Kampung Cempaka JKKKP chairman Loke Mun Hoong said that there were still many problems in the new village, ranging from a shortage of streetlights, potholed roads, to more serious ones including motorcycle theft and even intrusions into the local Chinese temple across the basketball court.

“The drains are blocked while garbage collection is inadequate, so when it rains, we are bound to get flooded,” said Loke.

-The STAR-