Tan (left) and Yee at the field at Jalan E3/12, Taman Ehsan. MPS is being urged to build a jogging track and instal outdoor fitness equipment to serve the senior citizens in the area. – S.S.KANESAN/ The Star.
RESIDENTS in Kepong want jogging tracks to be built in three fields which are currently under-utilised.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping said Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) should create pathways for joggers and instal outdoor fitness equipment.
Currently, the fields in Taman Desa Jaya, Taman Sri Ehsan and Taman Ehsan are in a poor state with unused goalposts and old playground facilities.
“The fields have been left empty for many years and because of the uneven surface, they are not suitable to be used by senior citizens.
“A lot of people in this neighbourhood want to meet up and exercise in the open air but cannot do that because of the lack of facilities at these fields,” said Yee.
He added that many residents used to frequent the Kepong Botanic Gardens and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in the past.
However, with FRIM introducing admission fees in recent years, residents found it inconvenient and were faced with few options in maintaining an active lifestyle outdoors.
Yee also said that while exercising at FRIM was a possibility for those with cars, those without private transport were left with no alternatives.
As for MPS’ mini stadium project that is underway at Jalan E3/12, next to the Taman Ehsan field, Yee said it would be far less beneficial compared to providing a jogging track for residents.
“The residents here hardly play football and it will be a waste of money if a mini stadium is built and no one uses it,” he said.
He urged MPS to study the matter thoroughly and take measures to put in place more facilities for senior citizens at the field.
Taman Ehsan resident Tan Choong Yah, 86, said the neighbourhood was in dire need of better facilities.
“It is not safe walking on this field as the ground is soft and uneven,” said Tan.
Tan (left) and Yee at the field at Jalan E3/12, Taman Ehsan. MPS is being urged to build a jogging track and instal outdoor fitness equipment to serve senior citizens in the area. — SS KANESAN/ The Star
