Yip pointing to tree roots which are tripping hazards. The park area where dogs can run free (below) was marked for removal, but the order has been stayed for now.
Discussions with Bandar Utama assemblyman to take place before maintenance work resumes
WORK to dismantle the fence surrounding the popular off-leash dog run at Central Park in Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya in Selangor, has been temporarily suspended.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon told StarMetro that the work, ordered by Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), would resume only after further discussions with Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin.
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On Wednesday, Jamaliah stepped in to support pet owners who were upset by MBPJ’s closure of the community’s off-leash area and its order for the removal of the surrounding fences.
MBPJ Landscape director Badrulzaman Jaafar confirmed that work had stopped, with staff awaiting new instructions.
A 34-second video circulated by a dog lover showed the dismantling process beginning on Oct 22, but during a site visit yesterday, the writer noticed that work had been halted.
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A signboard at the site indicates landscape work is scheduled to take place from Oct 1 until Jan 31, 2028.
The contracted company’s site supervisor Mohd Rafidi Ghazali said the immediate focus was now on routine upkeep.
The dismantling of fences surrounding the dog run at Central Park in Bandar Utama has been halted for now.
“The job scope now is on grass cutting and trimming trees, with the end goal of having a nicer park for residents,” he said.
“This will include clearing of mosquito breeding grounds.”
Residents offered mixed reactions to the upgrades.
Retired coffeeshop operator Lawrence Yip, 65, seen walking his dogs, said maintenance was long overdue.
“Maintenance has not been properly carried out here.
“The grass is overgrown.
“And there are tree roots that are a potential tripping hazard,” said Yip.
However, others focused on the value of the enclosed space.
Section 17 resident Tracy Toh, who used to frequent the park, called the dog run a “wonderful space” for pets and their owners to interact freely.
She also questioned MBPJ’s priority: “Why do we pay the city council for dog licences without having any public facilities to exercise our dogs at?”
Certified dog trainer Dave Teoh agreed about the importance of the enclosed area, but stressed the need for owner responsibility.
“To think that dogs can be just let go into an enclosed area and make friends on their own is not realistic,” he said.
