SUBANG Jaya City Council (MBSJ) is urged to halt the plan of turning a 0.28ha public recreational park in Jalan Intan 2, Taman Puchong Intan in Selangor, into an open-air carpark with 107 bays.
Selangor MCA Public Complaints Bureau chief Lawrence Chiew said he received feedback from residents in the area who wanted MBSJ to withdraw the project.
“Urban planners in MBSJ must review the plan to protect existing green spaces.
“Spaces for open-air recreation are essential as residents in the neighbourhood use the park that is home to mature trees,” he said.
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He added that people were disappointed with MBSJ as there had been no consultation and the residents’ views were not sought.
Yesterday, Save Jalan Intan 2 Recreational Park Pro-tem Committee chief S. Deva Varman explained to Chiew the need to retain the park as he joined a group of residents in a peaceful gathering at Jalan Intan 2.
The gathering was aimed at persuading MBSJ to withdraw its plan to build a carpark at the recreational site.
On April 12, StarMetro highlighted the issue of the public park in Taman Puchong Intan being turned into an open-air carpark.
Copies of a memorandum objecting the development have been submitted to the office of MBSJ mayor Datuk Johary Anuar, Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han and Subang MP Wong Chen.
Bordering the recreational park in Jalan Intan 2 of Taman Puchong Intan Phase One are Apartment Puchong Intan with 10 floors and the Sri Naga Nageswari Alayam Hindu temple.
ALSO READ: Carpark project on green space opposed
Across the public park are 378 single-storey terrace houses, 240 units of walk-up shophouses and Surau An-Nur.
Chiew said the public park was a much-needed green lung as the neighbourhood had a sizeable population of senior citizens while youths and children too needed a space to exercise.
He agreed with the residents that the park also helped to retain surface run-off and curb flash floods.
“I am against MBSJ wanting to convert the park into a parking lot covered with asphalt as it will affect rainwater flow.
“It will be wise for MBSJ to shelve this project,” he said.
Chiew urged Ng as the local elected representative to respond to the people’s plight and ensure that the green space was retained for recreational activities.
“Ng, who is also Selangor local government committee chairman, should discuss the matter with MBSJ to protect a two-decade-old park and provide an alternative site for parking if it is truly needed,” he added.
Chiew said the development of the recreational field would contradict a 1993 Selangor Land and Mines Department circular which made it clear that such development should be rejected without being brought to the Selangor State Executive Council meetings.
When contacted, Ng said the carpark was to cater to Puchong Intan apartment dwellers.
He explained that the open space nearby where residents used to park would be used to build another apartment complex.
“MBSJ has met the apartment residents and the complainants to get their feedback,” he said.
Resident Zaulkefli Ahmad, 64, said there were health benefits to be reaped from green spaces, so there was a need to keep such areas intact.
“It is a beautiful field that people in the area use for walks and engage with others,” he said.
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