The Padang Awam BRP in Bukit Rahman Putra is a much-used recreational space. — Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
SELAYANG Municipal Council (MPS) has identified a portion of a community park in Bukit Rahman Putra (BRP), Sungai Buloh for a road expansion project, putting the cherished green space at risk.
Residents became alarmed after noticing that 80 trees at Padang Awam BRP were tagged, and that MPS had put up a project board in the first week of May.
The notice board describes a proposal to upgrade a road for SMK Bukit Rahman Putra to ease traffic congestion.
Residents estimate that more than 20% of the 3.25ha park will make way for the project.
Long-time resident Rokiah Alavi, 60, said the 26-year-old park at Jalan BRP 7/2 was the only green space available to several neighbourhoods in the area.
“In 2019, MPS called residents for a briefing about several proposals to address traffic congestion in the area, which would be carried out by the developer of a large residential project nearby.
“There were to be two phases to the project. Phase 1, which involved upgrading two junctions, was completed that same year and well received by residents.
Trees with red markings are believed to be earmarked for felling for the road expansion plan.
“We, however, protested against Phase 2, which was to expand a service road running parallel to the park as we did not want it to be affected,” she said, adding that the road would be widened from 6.1m to 12m.
Although 500 signatures were collected in a protest against the project at the time, there was little response from MPS.
During StarMetro’s visit on a Saturday morning, the park was filled with visitors jogging, walking and playing basketball.
A group of children from NGC Football Academy were also training at the football field.
Residents, concerned over a lack of communication on the project, have since set up a pro-tem committee to raise the issue with the authorities.
Lam Kin Tong, 63, one of the spokespersons for the Action Committee against Destruction to Padang BRP, said they took inspiration from the recent win of Kuala Lumpur residents in the Taman Awam Bukit Kiara case.
“We do not understand the justification behind the decision to expand the road into our park.
Lam standing on the service road that is to be widened. A portion of Padang Awam BRP has been identified for this purpose.
“We do not deny that there is congestion during peak hours and during school hours. But surely, there are alternatives that can be considered instead of destroying the park.
“Residents want MPS to put a halt to the project and go back to the drawing board,” said Lam, adding that objection letters were also sent to Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Munis Muniandy, 54, said the park was gazetted as green space in the MPS Local Plan.
“Any plan affecting the park should be open to stakeholders for feedback before approval is given, but this was not done,” he said.
Paya Jaras assemblyman Mohd Khairuddin Othman said while local residents’ wishes would be prioritised, he urged them to keep in mind that there might not be a “one size fits all” solution.
“The school is trying to solve the congestion problem while residents want the field preserved,” he said when met.
“My message to them is not to worry as we will listen to local residents.”
Mohd Khairuddin, who is also state human capital development, sports and youth generation development committee chairman, said further discussions would be held with MPS.
“Finding a solution is imperative as the school congestion issue needs to be addressed,” he added.
StarMetro reached out to MPS for comments but did not receive a response at press time.
