Two community groups in Kuala Lumpur have welcomed the move to make gazetted green space data accessible to the public.
Save KL Chairman Datuk M. Ali thanked Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh for the swift implementation of the long-awaited request and for heeding the calls by civil society.
“Making this data public is a major step forward for accountability and environmental protection.
“We are hopeful that such open and green spaces will be not only protected but saved from being alienated or abused.
“This will lead to greater accountability and transparency and public awareness of these green spaces,” he said.
On Thursday, Yeoh announced that the public could view the full list of 494 gazetted green and open spaces in Kuala Lumpur through the implementation of open data by Federal Territories Lands and Mines Office (PTGWP).
By visiting ptgwp.gov.my/portal and clicking on the “MyHijau” icon, the public can view a map with the locations of the gazetted green spaces.
Yeoh said a task force, comprising Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), PTGWP and the Federal Territories Department (JWP), would work towards gazetting 256 plots of land as green and open spaces.
Ali added that DBKL must itemise all public parks, including recreational parks and children’s playgrounds.
“They must restore all the water retention ponds, rivers, streams, since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had directed PTGWP and DBKL to restore these to their original status.
“Those water retention ponds which, had been dubiously alienated, must be restored.
“We also call upon the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to conduct an immediate investigation into the alienation of the water retention ponds,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association (KLRA+SD), a coalition of more than 74 residents’ associations across Kuala Lumpur, said the open-data initiative was important because mapped and published spaces were more likely to be protected.
“When the public can clearly see which areas are gazetted, it strengthens transparency.
“Most importantly, it helps communities play a constructive role in safeguarding green lungs and public open spaces for present and future generations,” said the coalition.
“For this initiative to be truly effective, we hope the open data is complete and includes key details such as location, gazette reference, size, category, responsible authority and last updated date.
“We look forward to seeing the open data become a real tool for better governance, stronger protection, and a greener, more liveable Kuala Lumpur,” said the statement.
