The agonising 20-month wait is finally over, and the gates to Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara (TTDI Park) have reopened.
For nearly two years, park users endured endless postponements and met each delay with patience, fuelled by the promise of an enhanced, vibrant green sanctuary.
Instead, what awaits us is a textbook case of misplaced priorities, downgraded facilities, and a lack of accountability from National Landscape Department (JLN).
Out of a massive RM6.5mil budget allocation, a mere RM700,000 – just 11% – was spent on facilities that directly benefit the everyday park user.
The remaining millions were funnelled into deepening the pond, repairing the waterfall and installing an extensive lighting system.
By short-changing health and wellness infrastructure, JLN has left park users worse off than before the closure.
Some of them include hazardous exercise station where the original workout equipment has not been replaced; it sits there rusting away, an accident waiting to happen.
The safety flooring at these stations is severely worn out, turning into a treacherous slippery hazard the moment it rains.
Rather than upgrading, the park has been downgraded where favourite amenities like the multi-height pull-up bars have been completely removed.
For a national park, the workout stations pale in comparison to standard neighbourhood parks, such as the one at Jalan Athinahapan in Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
The main circular entrance − traditionally a vibrant social hub for resting and socialising − has been battered by the contractors’ heavy machinery.
The flooring is cracked, structurally damaged and caked in stubborn, unsightly dirt.
Tall lalang and overgrown weeds dominate the landscape, giving an impression of complete abandonment.
The gentle incline that once hosted a thriving, daily tai chi community is now a wasteland of stones, pebbles and undulating ground, making it entirely unsafe for elderly citizens to use.
This is a national park, yet its current state is an insult to the community it is meant to serve.
To rectify this situation, JLN must take immediate action through a collaborative way forward.
JLN must secure an immediate, dedicated budget to restore the park to at least the standard it was in before the closure.
Rather than asking for abstract online feedback, JLN should station an officer at the park during morning peak hours to receive direct, face-to-face feedback from the community.
JLN management must organise an official walkabout with park stakeholders and regular users to inspect the “grey areas” firsthand and mutually identify what needs urgent rectification.
The community is ready to help.
Park users are willing to organise a weekend gotong-royong.
JLN should facilitate this event, allowing citizens to help revive the green haven they love.
We want to be proud of our national park again.
We want the motivation to return to a beautiful, safe and life-affirming space.
JLN, please work with us to return Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara to its former glory.
DR POLA SINGH
Kuala Lumpur
