‘Stand up for Subang Jaya park’

An aerial view of Subang Ria Park in SS12, Subang Jaya, where an application has been made in the draft plan 2035 to convert recreational land to commercial status is being strongly opposed by local residents. The area concern is the current private car park area with a land size of 2.42ha that will be fragmented from the current park. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

A PROPOSAL to develop or commercialise a section of the Subang Ria Park in SS12, Subang Jaya, is not sitting well with local residents and stakeholders.

Subang Jaya Residents Association (SJRA) chairman A.S. Gill, 74, said they opposed the application to convert a portion of the 29.39ha park in the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) Draft Local Plan 2035 (Amendment 1).

“Residents are against the idea of sub-dividing the recreational land and converting 2.43ha land for commercial status,” he said.

Subang Ria Park off Persiaran Kewajipan stretches along the north-western part of SS12.

It runs parallel to the Federal Highway and is located between the KTM Bhd (KTMB) rail tracks and Jalan SS12/1A.

Gill said the proposed area for commercialisation was currently being used as a staff carpark for a private medical centre.

The carpark is connected to Subang Ria Park via a bridge that is built over a storm drain.

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“The carpark was only a temporary convenience for hospital staff during the construction of the medical centre’s new tower.

“Upon the building’s completion, the temporary carpark should have reverted to its original recreational purpose,” said Gill.

The developer, in the 1970s and 1980s, had pitched the park as a selling point when marketing its development project, he added.

“Sales brochures and advertising materials showed a neighbourhood with a beautiful park with trees and water bodies. We want our park to stay,” he said.

An application for commercial land status, under the draft plan, will open the door to retail, offices, eateries and service-based businesses.

The plan, which has been put on display for public feedback, outlines a proposed zoning change without any accompanying development obligations, leaving potential planning expectations unclear.

The Black-naped oriole is a regular park visitor.

On Dec 1, Subang Jaya deputy mayor Mohd Zulkurnain Che Ali launched MBSJ’s Publicity and Public Participation Programme, giving residents an opportunity to submit suggestions or objections to the draft local plan.

“The draft plan is available for public viewing at the MBSJ headquarters’ lobby and other venues from 9am to 4pm,” he said, adding that residents had until Dec 31 to submit their feedback.

Mohd Zulkurnain said QR codes were available for residents’ convenience to access the draft documents, objection forms and information on amendment applications.

“This information is also available on MBSJ’s website, digital billboards and social media channels.

“Applications received and recorded in the draft plan include proposals to change land-use zoning, convert recreational land to commercial use, and rezone residential areas for commercial purposes,” he added

Pink-necked green pigeons perched on branches at Subang Ria Park.

On Dec 10, Subang Jaya mayor Datuk Amirul Azizan Abd Rahim told StarMetro that a one-month extension from Dec 31 to Jan 31, 2026, was given for residents to submit their objections and feedback regarding changes to the draft plan.

Amirul Azizan said he was aware that the public needed more time to review the applications submitted under the draft plan.

Avid jogger Azusaini Azis, 60, said Subang Ria Park had been designated for recreation.

He said using the land as a private carpark or for any commercial purpose went against its status, constituting a breach of the National Land Code (NLC) 1965 and Town and Country Planning Act 1976.

“Seniors who frequent Subang Ria Park are opposed to the draft plan’s proposal to sub-divide and convert the land for commercial use,” he said.

“Subang Jaya residents want the carpark operations to stop, as it goes against the land title and runs counter to public interest,” he added.

Gill says residents are against an application to convert 2.43ha of land at Subang Ria Park. An aerial view of Subang Ria Park in SS12 showing the proposed area (in red) for conversion to commercial status under Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) Draft Local Plan 2035. — Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN and FAIHAN GHANI/The Star and courtesy photos. The 2.43ha land within Subang Ria Park is currently used as a private carpark for a medical centre.

Religious school teacher Aishah Nur Imran, 63, said the park, with its tree canopies, was vital because it was bordering the Federal Highway and helped filter harmful carbon emissions from traffic.

“I hope the Selangor government rejects the application to change the land status.

“If it goes ahead, it will erode public confidence in the authorities and elected representatives,” added Aishah who loves the sights and sounds of nature at the park.

Resident Theresa Ratnam Thong said the recreational park was an essential green space and should be safeguarded for the environment’s sake.

“MBSJ must ensure that recreational areas are free and equally available to all citizens.

“It offers areas for relaxation and community gathering which are crucial for physical and mental well-being,” added the former MBSJ councillor who had served from 2008 to 2010.

Theresa, who served in MBSJ’s infrastructure committee, said the park’s water bodies were important urban green areas as they supported biodiversity, improved air quality and managed surface runoff.

“The core principle remains that the primary use should serve the public good and not private profit,” she added.

Ecotourism and Conservation Society of Malaysia (Ecomy) president and chief executive officer Andrew Sebastian said it was absurd to think of a commercial development at Subang Ria Park as it would harm local fauna and flora through habitat loss and fragmentation.

“In addition, the loss of flora fundamentally changes the ecosystem, affecting soil nutrients, water flow and overall resilience and diversity of the park’s environment,” he said.

Andrew said Subang Jaya’s rapid growth must be managed with sustainable balance.

“Green lungs are the lifeblood of our cities, and the Greater Klang Valley is in urgent need of them.

“Subang Ria Park is a prime example, serving not only the local residents and communities but also as a refuge for the area’s biodiversity,” he added.

Andrew said construction and commercial activity could introduce pollutants into the soil and ponds, resulting in harm to sensitive plant life and surrounding aquatic ecosystems.

“Subang Ria Park has an estimated 40 migratory birds including species like the black-naped oriole (oriolus chinensis), pink necked green pigeon (treron vernans), white-throated kingfisher (halcyon smyrnensis) and mangrove heron (butorides striata) as well as a family of five fresh water smooth-coated otters (lutrogale perspicillata),” he said.

He added that MBSJ must prioritise the park’s primary function as a community asset.

Social activist CP Goh said Subang Ria Park provided a vital habitat for mammals, helping them survive environmental changes and human disturbances.

“Apart, from keeping nature intact, the park is a place that fosters social interaction and builds better community ties – which are crucial for mental health,” he said.

Goh urged residents to fill up the objection forms to voice their dissent as the commercial status would deprive future generations of a green space.

“Each and every resident needs to help MBSJ stop the commercialisation status from being approved.

“If MBSJ fails to gain the support of Subang Jaya residents than the city council goes against the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour it had received,” he said, adding that the recreational land should be maintained for public use.

“Subang Ria Park is the pride of all Subang people.”

In October 2020, MBSJ was awarded the UN-Habitat Scroll of Honour in acknowledgement of its holistic and integrated approach to sustainable urbanisation.