Plug loophole on parks, govt urged

The Star 24/05/2002 By Clarence Chua

KLANG: Several associations have urged the Government to close a loophole that virtually allows state and local governments a free hand in redeveloping a designated green lung.

House Buyers Association secretary-general Chang Kim Loong said it should be made mandatory that parks and open spaces in residential areas be gazetted almost immediately after it is surrendered to the local councils.

“When a developer surrenders a housing project to the local councils for the certificate of fitness it should be made mandatory that its green lungs be gazetted within a stipulated time frame.

“This is to prevent house buyers from being shortchanged with irresponsible local authorities developing such areas into commercial areas,” he said.

Real Estate and Housing Developers Association president Datuk Eddy Chen echoed similar a opinion but said the initiative was best left to the residents themselves.

“It’s a good idea that these green lungs be gazetted as soon as it is handed over to the local government but gazetting it is not foolproof.

“It can always be de-gazetted. So residents of a particular area should make use of their parks and playgrounds because if it disintegrates or falls into disuse, it would be open to many suggestions,” he said.

The suggestions came to light after several protests occurred in numerous areas around the Klang Valley during the past few weeks.