PETALING JAYA: Kelana Jaya residents’ wish for their community park in SS7 here to be gazetted as a recreational area will soon materialise, if Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has his way.
At a recent meeting with residents, Nik Nazmi said he would push for the park, owned by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), to be turned into a recreational park for residents in the area.
“I will be meeting with PKNS to ensure that they hand over the land to Petaling Jaya Municipal Council as promised by the previous state government,” he said.
Nik Nazmi said in his opinion, the park should not be developed as it is the biggest recreational area for the residents there.
He said he was aware of the issue as in 2005, the former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo had promised to hand over the land to the then Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, following protest by residents against the proposed development of PKNS workers’ quarters on the park.
“However, until today, the hand-over has yet to be finalised.
“I will make sure that the hand-over will be completed soon,” he said, after the meeting with the residents.
Nik Nazmi said that after he had enquired the matter, the council confirmed that the hand-over was still pending.
The park, near the PKNS Sports Complex, has three lakes, making it an ideal recreational area for the residents in the area.
Several years ago, PKNS had proposed that the park would be developed, receiving criticism from the residents.
Upset with the proposal, residents staged a protest against the proposal and demanded the park be gazzetted as a recreational area.
Following the protest, Dr Mohd Khir promised that the land ownership would be transferred to the council but until today, it has yet to materialise.
Nik Nazmi said the residents did not want the park to be developed as the lakes could also act as water catchment areas for the area.
“If they develop the land, the flash flood problem in the area will worsen,” he said.
He said in the meeting, the residents had also voiced out their concerns on flash flood problem in the area.
“The council had informed me that steps are being taken to curb the problem,” he said, adding that he was told that several monsoon drains in Petaling Jaya and Sungai would be widened.
The residents had also submitted a memorandum to Nik Nazmi, highlighting other issues for the latter to look into.
“I cannot promise that I could solve all the problems. However, I will give my best,” he said.
Taman Kelana Indah Residents’ Association vice-president Musa Mohamad said the residents had been fighting for the park to be gazetted as a recreational area for the past six years.
“We hope that our state assemblyman can make it happen,” said Musa, who is also a member of Friends of Kelana Jaya Park.