DATARAN Klang@Padang Chetty opened to the public with much fanfare in June 2021, following a RM2.5mil refurbishment by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK). The park, which used to be known as Padang Chetty, has been a popular destination for hockey and football enthusiasts. However, just two years after its opening, the 1.34ha public park is in a state of neglect. The 3m-wide walkway now has wobbly and dislodged tiles, posing a danger to park users. Other park features, including a hedge maze and fountains, are also in poor shape and require repairs.
The plastic boardwalk decking around the maze has warped and peeled off, exposing the aluminium brackets. It is both unsightly and a safety hazard for park-goers.
The Selangor Safe Community and Environment Association has received numerous complaints about the poor condition of Dataran Klang@Padang Chetty. Dr Elangovan Krishnan, the head of the association’s ad hoc committee, expressed concern over the unsafe concrete pavers and revealed that senior citizens had already fallen on them. Serjeet Singh, a former International Hockey Federation umpire, highlighted the removal of hedges meant for the maze walk, leaving muddy patches and overgrown weeds.
According to Mohd Azlan Abdul Aziz, a former sportsman and secondary school teacher, the park’s state of neglect endangers public safety. Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance for a Safe Community, criticized the poor maintenance culture in the country and urged immediate action to resolve the issues. Lee also emphasized the need for improved service delivery to provide good amenities for the tax-paying public. He suggested conducting a safety audit while awaiting repairs.
MPK has decided to temporarily close Dataran Klang@Padang Chetty to ensure public safety. However, the duration of the closure and the cost of repairs are yet to be confirmed. The park’s closure is advisable, considering the danger it poses to users. The original Padang Chetty, a training ground for local athletes, was named after Chettiar merchants from Tamil Nadu in the 1940s. The park is located next to the 150-year-old Sri Nagara Thandayuthapani Hindu Temple, which is managed by the Nattukottai Chettiar community. In 2019, MPK announced plans to revitalize the area with a budget of RM2.5mil, leading to the renaming of the park to Dataran Klang@Padang Chetty following objections.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
