While it is true that traffic can be a bane to the general population there, residents of SS19 are spared some of the highway malediction, and is – contrary to what many would imagine – a rather quiet neighbourhood.
“The traffic jam is not too bad, at least not within SS19, and not since the NPE (New Pantai Expressway) interchange at Jalan Tujuan was opened,” said Jansen Yap, a resident of SS19 for the last 17 years. Yap is also a member of the Subang Jaya Zone 1 (covers SS12 to SS19) Residents Committee (JKP).
Strategically located at the very fringe of Subang Jaya, and next to the Federal Highway, SS19 has been in existence for some 20 years, and was the last area to be developed before development of the first USJ neighbourhood commenced.
There is a general homogeneity about Subang Jaya, but many residents will point out that SS19 possesses a few features that distinguish it from neighbouring residential sections, such as a reasonable cost of living, proximity to the highway and shopping complexes (Subang Parade and Carrefour), as well as convenience of the amenities within.
“We have a sizeable commercial area compared to the other parts of Subang, with just about everything we need - pet shops, 7-Eleven, food outlets, banks, and even a small industrial area with ample tyre, car accessories and service outlets,” said Yap.
“The area is inhabited by quite an even mix of races, and is a mixed development with bungalows, compact houses, single- and double-storey terrace houses, semi-Ds and apartment units.” [DJCK: I live in a double-storey terrace house OK!]
Like every ideal neighbourhood, SS19 has many playgrounds and pocket parks equipped with facilities. Families and children can be seen spending time or playing in the parks in the evenings.
Business in the area is generally good.
“It's convenient for residents to patronise our businesses and we even get customers from outside SS19 because the industrial and commercial area is visible from the main entrance into Subang Jaya,” said Stanley Tan, who has been operating a tyre and car care service centre in SS19 for the last 10 years.
“It's gotten a little competitive since the local authority specified an industrial zone for tyre, car accessories and service outlets because we are all located in the same place now.”
Food is abundant with McDonald's, Chinese, Malay and mamak food outlets within walking distance. Parents can rest assured that there are three primary schools within the area – SRJK (C) Lick Hung [DJCK: My primary school!], SRK SS17 and SRK SS19.
Ironically, however, SS19 suffered a lukewarm response in its early years.
“Previously, this was a rubber and oil palm estate. The area was considered ulu, the only way in was via a road located near the railway tracks near the Subang airport and back then people were averse to living under the flight path of planes using the airport.
“I remember Goodyear (the developer) was giving away kitchen cabinets and furniture to attract people to buy homes here,” Yap recalled. [DJCK: We got 'em free kitchen cabinets, visit my house and they're still there.]
Today, according to statistics cited by Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, SS19 boasts a population of at least 5,000.
But, the bustling neighbourhood is not without its share of problems. Residents are wondering about an empty piece of land in the middle of the SS19 commercial area.
“It was zoned for a market 10 years ago, but the project was abandoned due to residents' objections. Following that were plans to upgrade the area into a hawker centre, but some residents raised objections to the idea as well. There are no plans or ideas on what to do with it yet,” said Lee. [DJCK: Honestly, it's now a shanty area of illegal malay food stalls, the few minimal lightings and sleezy look give me the creeps. I do wonder how people still go there for their meals]
Activities that bring residents together are also few and far between as everyone minds their own business. [DJCK: Yeah We're so caught up with ourselves LOL]
“With the exception of those in SS19/6, residents are not very close-knit and only get together whenever there are problems such as crime, which is why I have encouraged them to form residents' associations and hold more activities to foster neighbourliness,” said Lee, adding that there are currently five informal RAs in SS19. [DJCK: My dad used to be in the patrol, and he drove the SS19/1 Kancil or something]
The nights are noticeably quiet in SS19 with only the food outlets in the commercial area being the life of the neighbourhood. [Mamak Restaurants like Sri Melur and Syed, Chinese cookeries like Parkway, Hock Hin, New Subang Glory, Tong Le and former Winman, Macs, the illegal-malay stalls, the roadside ramly stalls, condom buyers@711]
Perhaps it is this tranquillity that makes living in SS19 ideal after all.
C.T. Chan, who spent most of his growing-up years in SS19, summed it up perfectly: “People mind their own business. The traffic is not too terrible, and the crime rate is not so high. I like the peace here.”
[DJCK: I spent almost my entire life living in SS19. And I'm loving it. Most of my friends are from SS19, and we've remained friends since/still keep in contact/know where we stay. Although some have moved out to better neighbourhoods like Kota Kemuning, this place in undoubtly my favourite place in Subang Jaya, Truly Malaysia]
Edited 25/11/2006: There are really interesting playgrounds in SS19. My neighbourhood used to have very antique style of playgrounds, the swings are and slides are high and made of wood, fireman-like poles and cement tunnels. There was a playground called 'The Ghostbuster' because it resembled the Ghostbuster's headquarter station in the animated series. Until the recent takeover by MPSJ, they have 'upgraded' all the playgrounds and made them homogenous to what is found in the MPSJ vicinity. I feel that the current playgrounds have lost its touch and fun. The wooden swings and slides are replaced by colourful, mini, metallic ones, while the 'Ghostbuster' playground has been torn down due to bad maintanence. Perhaps it's the nostalgic me trying to remember the old times I had fun in my neighbourhood playground. But it's too bad that the children will not be able to enjoy what I enjoyed during my time (I sound very old saying this LOL).
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