A newly installed aerator that does not work at Taman Aman park in Section 22, Petaling Jaya.
All is not well with Taman Aman park in Section 22, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
The lake water is murky green and some of the newly upgraded exercise equipment are not in good working order.
Friends of Taman Aman (Fota) chairman Thayakugan Rajendram said 70% of park visitors were above the age of 60 and the authorities should have taken this into consideration when making upgrades.
“We learned that Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) spent about RM200,000 on the park upgrades this year.
“However, we feel the upgrades have worsened the park’s facilities.
The reflexology foot path now only has railings on one side after the park upgrade.
“We have alerted MBPJ’s Landscape Department about our concerns,” he said.
Thayakugan said one of the issues was the lake’s poor water quality due to the aerator being turned off by anglers.
“When the aerator is in operation, it is hard to fish.
“So, those who come here to fish would switch off the aerator but this affects the water quality.
Thayakugan says some equipment at the park are not functioning.“New mini aerators were installed during the park upgrade but they are too small and some are simply not working,” he said, adding that only one aerator was functioning.
Fota also suggested roping in experts to find out how to improve the water quality.
Thayakugan said some of the exercise equipment at the park were not in working order or well-installed, making it difficult for senior citizens to use them.
Among the complaints was the reflexology foot path. Previously it had railings on both sides but after the upgrade, only one side was fitted with railings, making it difficult for seniors to use the path safely.
The net at the badminton court was also not set at the right height for games, he said.
Thayakugan added that closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the park were not functioning, which was a public safety issue.
Fota committee member Zamri Abu Bakar, who lives in Flat Sri Aman, said there were illegal makeshift stalls operating over a drain near the park.
“We have lodged many complaints with MBPJ but these stalls are still operating there,” he said.
Another Fota committee member, Siti Mahfudz, said the city council should instal exercise equipment and other amenities based on the needs of park-goers.
“I can still exercise but I can’t sit on some of the equipment as they are too low and I won’t be able to get up without hurting my knees,” added Siti.
MBPJ councillor Nalina Nair, when contacted, said park upgrading works were still ongoing.
“If the upgrade is shoddy, it must be rectified. I have also been asking for a weekly report on the upgrade.
“As for the aerator, I have informed MBPJ to put a grille around the switch.
“There are specific times set for fishing so that the activity can be monitored,” said Nalina.
Damansara MP Gobind Singh Deo told StarMetro that experts should be called in to address the water quality issue at the lake.
He added that he would meet with MBPJ to get a report on the upgrades and discuss the issues.
