Home is heaven in a gem of a township

By CHOW HOW BAN
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

IT HAS been described as a gem of a township that is a pleasure to drive into and
this is absolutely true of Taman Setiawangsa in Kuala Lumpur.

A development by Island & Peninsular Bhd (I&P), the housing estate boasts hilly terrain, well-maintained infrastructure, a good balance of commercial and housing facilities and a panoramic view of the city skyline from the highest point in the area.

The tree-lined road leading to the hilltop in Taman Setiawangsa.

No two parts of the 100ha development are the same. Visitors entering the housing estate will be greeted by the serenity of a purely residential area with terrace houses.

Further down Jalan Taman Setiawangsa, one will experience the hustle-bustle of a mature township with a busy commercial area, Giant hypermarket and fast-food chains.

Cruising up Jalan Bukit Setiawangsa, the main road leading to the hilltop, is a pleasant experience as one can see houses at the foothill - matchbox-like in the distance - and great landscaping along the road.

As one reaches the hilltop, the environment changes from a hectic to laid-back and almost rustic atmosphere. There, one can enjoy some of the nicest designs in bungalows and semi-detached homes, get a breath of fresh air and take in the spectacular view of the city.

Visitors can take in a panoramic view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline from the hilltop of Taman Setiawangsa.

Puncak Setiawangsa Residents Association chairman Tuan Haji Shahidan Sabu

said, Taman Setiawangsa was divided into three areas, namely the mixed commercial and housing area at the foothill, Bukit Setiawangsa (mid-hill) and Puncak Setiawangsa (hilltop).

He said the foothill and mid-hill areas were developed in stages in the 1980s before work started on Puncak Setiawangsa, which was completed in 1995.

Since the formation of the residents association, he said, the residents had beefed up security by implementing the guardhouse and patrolling system to maintain peace and serenity in the area.

“These security guards are staff of the Civil Defence Department. They work two shifts daily and patrol each road at two-hour intervals. The system has been effective and there have not been many break-ins and snatch thefts in this area.

Jalan Puncak Setiawangsa 8 ends in a dead-end that offers a breathtaking view of Section 5 in Wangsa Maju.

“Eighty percent of the residents of Puncak Setiawangsa pay their security fee. I would say we have a united and cooperative community,” he said.

“Every morning, you will see residents coming up to Puncak Setiawangsa to jog and the Federal Territories Minister (Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique, who lives there) is one of them.”

He said the area was a popular spot from which city folk watched the fireworks display during the Merdeka and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Taman Setiawangsa was I&P’s first development project in Kuala Lumpur. Just a five-minute drive from the city centre with easy access to the Ampang-KL Elevated Highway and Middle Ring Road 2, the township has adequate retail outlets and other amenities like a mosque, a recreational field, a hawker centre, two schools and a multi-storey car park and multi-purpose hall.

Many residents enjoy playing football in the only football field in Taman Setiawangsa.  The field has been upgraded and is well maintained.

The last phase to be launched is the Tiara development involving double-storey terrace houses. Upon completion in 2007, the entire Taman Setiawangsa development will have an estimated 3,092 units.

Lau Ah Hock, 54, who has been living there for nine years, said Taman Setiawangsa was more a residential area than a commercial area and life there was quite relaxing.

“I enjoy the greenery and it is quite peaceful here. It is the nearest point that people can go for exercise apart from Taman Tasik Titiwangsa and Lake Gardens in the city,

Another resident, Lam Mok Foong, who moved to the area in 1988, however, said development had been rapid and residents could no longer enjoy the vast expanse of greenery that they used to.

Mamak restaurants with giant screens are the only places for residents to hang out in Taman Setiawangsa.

Although she felt that the area lacked recreational facilities as there was only a football field, a basketball court and a community hall, she was nevertheless happy with its strategic location and accessibility.

She noted there were now fewer illegal street hawkers as the local authority had successfully relocated them to the hawker centre in Jalan Setiawangsa 13.

Shahidan said everything ranging from road signs and landscape to rubbish collection had been good.

“Taman Setiawangsa is a strategic place with well-planned development, beautiful scenery and conducive living environment. It certainly fits the description of rumah syurgaku (my house, my heaven),” he added.

Copyright © 1995-2005 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)