Plan to turn golf club into park being mulled

The 137.6ha RSGC is smack in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, as seen in this aerial view photo with the citys skyscrapers in teh background.

THE Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSGC) is in the heritage inventory list but its value as a heritage site has yet to be determined.

National Heritage Malaysia heritage registry division director Khalid Syed Ali said although RSGC, located in Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, was established in 1893, that did not automatically justify it as a heritage site.

“It is too early for the heritage commissioner to give any comments,” he said.

The Star Online reported on Oct 5 that Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan had announced plans to turn the 137.6ha club into a recreational park based on public views.

Abdul Rahman said that while he understood the club’s history, there were no golf courses at city centres in most developed countries and as such, the site was suited as a park, such as Central Park in New York.

He also said that further discussion with relevant parties, including the owners, was required to arrive at a decision.

Golfers heading to their next hole in the shadow of the KL Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers. — filepic

 

Khalid said the heritage commissioner stood by the ministry’s plan for further discussion and did not want to speculate the suggestion.

“Let it be tabled officially through existing procedures and be open for comments from various ministries and departments including the Department of National Heritage.

“Meanwhile, we will compile our research and validate the significance of the site and propose it to the relevant ministry,” he said.

The RSGC committee has declined to comment until they receive anything official on the proposal.

Meanwhile, Badan Warisan Malaysia executive director Elizabeth Cardosa said the positive response from the ministry was encouraging.

“There is a growing consciousness for the formation of public spaces and places.

“Good city leaders want to make city living better for their citizens.

“Thoughtful design of new open public spaces and ensuring the good maintenance of those which already exist is fundamental to the quality of urban life.

“The basis for all good public spaces also demands that the decision-making process is inclusive of the needs and desires of communities which will inhabit these spaces,” she said.

Cardosa said RSGC had a long history dating back to early 1890.

“When it was first relocated to its present location in 1921, it was well beyond the edge of the old town centre.

“In the intervening 80 to 90 years, the city has grown and spread to surround the clubhouse and its golf course.

A heron flying low at the RSGC lake.

 

“What is probably less known is that about 12.14ha of the land is designated a wildlife and bird sanctuary, which contributes to the biodiversity value of the area and acts as a green lung for the city of Kuala Lumpur.

“It is a private club, with its facilities accessible only to members and guests of members.

“And as such, the general public are unable to visit this sanctuary.

“Nevertheless, it is probably the very fact that there is limited access, which has ensured the protection of the habitat and the conservation of the many different species of birds and flora and other fauna which continue to thrive there,” she said.

Cardosa said if the proposal was pursued further, several issues need to be addressed.

“What is the cost of purchasing such a prime land?

“What measures will be taken to ensure the continued conservation and protection of the wildlife and bird sanctuary?

“What sort of infrastructure will be put into place to make it accessible?

“What sort of management regime needs to be instituted to ensure the park is well maintained?

“Would it be more expedient and efficient to first create many more neighbourhood facilities such as pocket parks, open green public spaces and recreational facilities which are safe and set within residential neighbourhoods, and to ensure they are well maintained and well managed?

“And only after that, to look at acquiring RSGC to develop into a public park?” she said.

RSGC’s wildlife and bird sanctuary is maintained by Wetlands International.

It was learnt that the creation of the wetland was completed in March 2008, with various swamp tree species, wetland and aquatic plants and shrubs, as well as fruit-bearing trees planted to attract forest birds and wildlife.

Malaysian Nature Society president Henry Goh said it was not possible to comment as the proposal was still in its early stage.

“We do not know how the proposed public park will evolve.

“However, from the standpoint of providing green spaces within a city like Kuala Lumpur, it is an important consideration and should be given top priority as a component of the city’s master plan.

“Green lungs need not involve big investment or budget.

“Without human interference, nature has its own way of ensuring that the balance in the ecosystem is maintained.

“Suitable trees which provide shade, fruits and flowers for the avifauna and other wildlife could be added to supplement the existing ones.

“The ideal and cheapest approach is to keep them in their natural state without barriers, concrete structures and paved roads,” he said, adding that it was a win-win proposition between the authorities and the public.

“Over the years, available green lung areas in and around Kuala Lumpur has drastically reduced, due in part to rapid development which have replaced much of these green spaces.

“More green spaces, including Bukit Kiara which the government pledged to gazette as a forest reserve should be earmarked in tandem with the rapid development to ensure the public has a place for exercise, to de-stress and for family bonding in natural surroundings,” he said.