Rajiv distributing Malaysia Day cupcakes to park visitors. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
IMPROVEMENTS in landscaping and services for Petaling Jaya, Selangor, were highlighted during the draft discussion for the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) Budget 2025.
Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said his meeting with a few MBPJ councillors on Sept 11 had enabled a good exchange of views on efficient spending for the city and its residents.
He said a budget increase was needed to address residents’ urgent demands for roadside tree pruning and improving playgrounds, among others.
“The main reason for tree pruning is to ensure safety of our residents and for the aesthetics of Petaling Jaya landscapes.
“Refurbishing playgrounds is another reason we need a budget increase.
Taman Jaya park visitors playing carrom on the refurbished floating stage.
“We would like to make these more appealing to the residents.
“With more funds, we hope to upgrade three to four playgrounds each year.”
Rajiv said the meeting also addressed inadequate depots for abandoned cars.
“In Petaling Jaya, there are a lot of abandoned cars,” he said.
“Some cars are still in a queue to be deregistered by the Road Transport Department.
“In the meantime, we need to have more depots to store abandoned cars.”
Rajiv hoped a budget increase for new software would enable all council services to fully transition online.
“This will make it more convenient for residents as they would not have to visit MBPJ offices all the time,” he said.
Final decisions regarding these issues will be announced during the MBPJ Budget 2025 meeting, said Rajiv who was speaking during a Malaysia Day event in Taman Jaya, Petaling Jaya.
The park was bustling with morning crowds when Rajiv distributed 200 free packed meals to the public.
“This MBPJ Malaysia Day event is the first one to take place in the park after the lake was reopened in July, following two years of improvement works,” said Rajiv.
The event aimed to foster camaraderie among the city’s community on Malaysia Day.
It also became an opportunity to showcase improvements made to Taman Jaya from 2022-23.
“The major upgrade to the park was deepening of the lake which now serves as a flood retention pond to prevent flooding,” he said.
“MBPJ has also restructured the concrete wall surrounding the lake because it was falling apart.
“The concrete wall and new railings around the floating stage are to stabilise it.
“The jogging track has been improved as well.”
Rajiv said there were 10 contract workers tasked with maintaining park cleanliness.
