Residents of Bandar Utama 2 (BU2) in Petaling Jaya have expressed growing frustration over what they describe as decades of neglect, substandard contractor work, and inadequate maintenance in their neighbourhood. The community of approximately 540 households says the deteriorating condition of local infrastructure poses safety risks and diminishes quality of life.

The primary concern among residents is the poor state of the walkways in the BU2/5 park. According to 68-year-old SY Chan, the paths were previously renovated but have since broken down, becoming uneven and hazardous, particularly for elderly users. Chan questioned the oversight and quality control of the original contractors. Efforts to have the entire walkway replaced by the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) have been met with budget constraints, she said.

"We had two senior citizens trip and fall on the walkways," Chan noted. "MBPJ only carried out patchwork repairs that failed within months." She also pointed to the lack of periodic maintenance for inner roads in BU2, many of which have not been refreshed with line markings for several decades. Since the area was developed in the early 1990s, Chan stressed that its facilities, now about 35 years old, require systematic upkeep.

Another key issue highlighted is the poor condition of the perimeter walkway leading to the Bandar Utama MRT Station, a route used not only by BU2 residents but also those from neighbouring areas. Chan noted the presence of broken fences and uneven surfaces along this stretch and advocated for improvements such as covered walkways and zebra crossings to enhance safety and encourage walking over car use.

Additional problems are raised by resident Chua Kee Moh, 70, who cited ongoing drainage issues despite multiple manholes in the BU2/5 park. He also pointed to exposed signal cables left unsecured in drain walls by previous contractors, underscoring potential hazards. Chua recalled an incident from a decade ago where a resident paved part of the public park for private parking. He said MBPJ did not take action and the problem persists to this day, raising questions about the council’s reliance on public complaints rather than proactive monitoring.

Chua further proposed the installation of portable closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at sites prone to illegal dumping and parking violations to help deter such behaviour.

In response to inquiries, Zone 7 councillor John Leong cited recent works initiated by Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamalilah Jamaluddin’s office, including upgrades to rubber mats at a children’s playground in BU2, completion of a 1.25-kilometre walkway connecting to Jalan Masjid, and another path leading to Persiaran Bukit Utama.

While residents appreciate the playground improvements, Chan said maintenance remains insufficient overall. She added that the new walkway primarily benefits Pelangi condominium residents and a nearby school, while the Persiaran Bukit Utama route is distant from the MRT station and therefore not useful for last-mile connectivity.

The residents’ calls highlight ongoing challenges in balancing urban infrastructure upkeep with evolving community needs in ageing neighbourhoods. They continue to urge MBPJ to allocate adequate resources and establish stronger oversight mechanisms to address infrastructure safety and accessibility gaps.