IT may take until the third quarter of next year for Taman Rimba Ampang in Selangor to reopen to the public, says Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail.
She said upgrading works at the forest park were expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2027, with reopening anticipated in the following months.
Taman Rimba Ampang, or Bukit Belacan as it is popularly known among locals, has been closed to the public since 2017 to facilitate construction of East Klang Valley Expressway (EKVE).
When the closure was first announced, developer EKVE Sdn Bhd said it was expected to last 18 months.
“Taman Rimba Ampang has been closed for nearly 10 years.
“Residents have been waiting for a long time,” Rodziah said.
“We had a site visit with relevant agencies to discuss the upgrading and timeline for its reopening.
“The upgrading project is being carried out under EKVE’s corporate social responsibility initiative, with all costs fully borne by the company,” she said in a statement to StarMetro.
In its Sept 15 article “Taman Rimba Ampang still closed nearly 10 years on”, StarMetro reported that the park’s reopening was closely tied to the overall completion of the highway project.
Rodziah said the site visit was conducted at the end of last month with representatives from EKVE Sdn Bhd, Hulu Langat District and Land Office, Hulu Langat Public Works Department (JKR) and Selangor Forestry Department.
The upgrading works, she said, included site cleaning as well as improving access roads, pedestrian walkways and public facilities such as toilets, prayer rooms, gazebos, office areas and other related amenities.
Rodziah acknowledged that the local community, particularly residents of Ampang and Pandan, were eager for the park to reopen.
“I would like to ask for a little more patience and give the contractor the time and space needed to complete the upgrading works according to schedule.
“Our aim is not only to reopen the park, but to ensure that when it welcomes visitors again, it offers a safer environment, improved facilities and better overall experience for the local community, out-of-towners and foreign visitors,” she said.
Rodziah added that the park had the potential to become a major recreational and short- getaway destination for city dwellers and tourists, given its proximity to Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Surrounded by the Ampang Forest Reserve, Taman Rimba Ampang was once a popular destination for families and birdwatchers.
