Residents' playground taken away, status changed to commercial development

KUALA LUMPUR (September 5): Less than a month after the playground was refurbished by the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj), residents of Sungai Chua’s Taman Seri Kota were faced with the loss of their playground.

The Star reports that the 0.3ha open space along Jalan Seri Kota 2 is currently closed off with fencing and is overgrown with grass.

Residents brought up their complaint to the MCA candidate in Balakong’s upcoming by-election, Tan Chee Teong, who will be contesting against Pakatan Harapan’s Wong Siew Ki from DAP.

Residents say they were not aware that the status of the land had been changed to allow commercial development.

“We were told that the transaction was done in 2014. There was no signboard put up to inform residents nearby,” said Wong Yew Fai who has lived in the Seri Kota housing area for nearly 10 years, as quoted by The Star.

“The playground upgrade was completed at the end of January this year.

“In mid-February, a developer fenced up the property and the equipment was cleared away,” Wong said.

He said residents had written a letter to MPKj’s Urban Planning Department in April about the matter.

“We went personally to the council to find out the status of the land. It was only then that they showed us an official letter to the developer from the council.”

In the letter, it was stated that planning approval for the land had been given in December 2014. The developer was required to give a replacement open space before beginning any work.

Tan told the daily that he was puzzled how planning approval was given for the land, having been a playground for the housing area for over 20 years.

“How can the status of the land be changed, and is the area suitable for a condominium?” he asked.

Tan added that the residents nearby should have been consulted.

“What are the guidelines? How can you deprive residents of a recreational area,” he said, when asking for clarification from MPKj.

Balakong's by-election polling takes place this Saturday.