IPOH: The Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has announced an allocation of RM85.6mil for the National Landscape Department to continue driving the 1,000 Taman Rekreasi Madani initiative.
Nga said that the government originally aimed to develop 100 Taman Rekreasi Madani parks each year.
"To date, 216 Taman Madani have been completed nationwide, with the latest in Taman Lanjak Batu Gajah, surpassing our target.
"Another 100 parks are aimed to be built next year," he said after officiating the Ruang Komuniti (Rukom) at Pangsapuri Seri Kepayang on Saturday (Dec 6).
At present, Perak alone accounts for 34 Taman Madani, among the highest numbers recorded nationwide.
Nga also urged the public to maintain the cleanliness of the public spaces.
He added that there have been incidents of park facilities being stolen, including benches and lighting fixtures.
“It is very disheartening. Some have taken benches home, some have removed lights. As responsible citizens, please show civic consciousness,” he said.
He added that surveillance will be strengthened under the Safe City programme, including wider installation of CCTV systems to minimise theft in public spaces.
On the Community Hub (Rukom), he said that the launch in Seri Kepayang marks the 12th such facility completed in Perak out of the 100 nationwide.
Nga said many of these hubs were once neglected, dirty and unusable spaces, some even used as dumping areas, but have now undergone complete transformation.
"These areas are now liveable, safe and comfortable. Children and residents can rest, play and enjoy reading corners provided for them,” he said, adding that the initiative aligns with efforts to achieve SDG Goal 11.
Nga said each Community Hub costs between RM20,000 and RM30,000, with the government spending under RM3mil in total to complete all 100 hubs.
