THE challenge for Datuk Ahmad Termizi Puteh when he took office as Petaling Jaya’s first mayor over a decade ago, was to provide better infrastructure especially roads.

“The public’s immediate thought was that assessment rates and other fees would increase when the municipality became a city,” he said.

He pointed out that Petaling Jaya experienced accelerated development when it attained city status in 2006.

Infrastructure and economic development aside, he is among the many who appreciated the public parks in Petaling Jaya and has fond memories of jogging in the Taman Jaya recreational park every day before heading to his office at Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Ahmad Termizi, now a Kuala Lumpur resident, commended current Petaling Jaya mayor Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain for doing a fine job.

Mohd Azizi said Petaling Jaya was a much sought-after residential location now compared to the 1980s.

He said the city council faced great challenges today because the city was surrounded by highways.

“In the past, there was no New Pantai Expressway, Damansara-Puchong Highway or Sprint Highway.

“Now, Petaling Jaya is a shortcut to Kuala Lumpur, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang.

“Our roads and other facilities are shared by thousands of non-residents too. This city is becoming congested as a result of all these factors.

“MBPJ’s challenge is to ensure the people, especially residents, have a good quality of life,” said Mohd Azizi, acknowledging that many houses in the city were also abandoned because the owners did not want to live by the busy roads.