Residents shocked as Malaysian recreational park sold to private company for development
Residents of Taman Rekreasi Ayer Panas in Setapak, Malaysia, have expressed disbelief and anger after learning that a substantial portion of the park has been sold to a private company for a mixed development project. The land, previously owned by the government, had been a popular recreational spot for residents of Kampung Semarak, Seri Semarak, and Kampung Baru Air Panas People’s Housing Projects (PPR) in Kuala Lumpur.
The sale of the park was met with surprise and disappointment by the residents, who were only made aware of the sale when the company put up signage indicating that it was now private property. Many residents feel that the government and relevant authorities did not provide sufficient disclosure about the sale, considering that the park was a public space.
The deterioration of the park sparked suspicions among residents, as they noticed that the grass and shrubs were not being maintained by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Their concerns were confirmed when they discovered that the park management office had been vacated and furniture had been removed. It was only through informal sources that news about the park being sold to a private company surfaced, with no official confirmation from the authorities.
Taman Rekreasi Ayer Panas was not just a recreational park, but also a venue for various tree-planting programs and government agency events. As recently as February 2019, a tree-planting event was held in the park, which was attended by Kuala Lumpur MPs, DBKL senior directors, and the public. The sudden sale of the park was a shock to residents who had participated in such events and considered the park a cherished public space.
In 2018, a 10.1-hectare plot of land within the park was sold to facilitate a mixed development project. This land was part of the park and was not gazetted, which meant that the sale did not require a public announcement or objection hearing. The land had been managed by the local authority since 2010 and housed various facilities, including toilets, a surau, a children’s playground, and sports courts.
In January, the Kuala Lumpur City Hall removed all of its assets from the park, leaving only immovable structures behind. Since then, the park has fallen into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance. During a recent visit, broken-down buildings and rubbish were found throughout the area. In a statement, a Kuala Lumpur City Hall spokesperson confirmed that they had vacated the park after the land was sold to a private company.
Efforts to cancel the land deal were unsuccessful, as the developer filed a lawsuit against the land office, claiming breach of contract. The cancellation of land deals where premiums have been paid is a challenge for the government, but steps have been taken to address the issue. An immediate freeze on the sale or lease of government lands has been ordered, and some land deals have already been cancelled, including the proposed alienation of the Bohol flood retention pond.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
