Kuala Lumpur to Prioritize Gazetting Green Spaces to Prevent Commercial Encroachment

The Malaysian Ministry of Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) is set to prioritize the official gazetting of all green spaces within Kuala Lumpur. This move aims to safeguard these vital areas from being converted for commercial purposes, according to Minister Hannah Yeoh.

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My priority is to gazette them as soon as possible. If I don't gazette them and don't publish the list, no one will know that this is a green area and there are commercial activities happening on it.

Yeoh emphasized that the gazetting process is a primary objective before enforcement actions can be taken, ensuring the continued preservation of these green lungs. "My priority is to gazette them as soon as possible. If I don't gazette them and don't publish the list, no one will know that this is a green area and there are commercial activities happening on it," she explained. She highlighted the risk of these lands being lost or transformed into commercial zones if they remain un-gazetted.

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Enforcement will be carried out.

The minister's statement comes in response to public concerns about existing gazetted green spaces being used for commercial activities, such as food courts, vehicle display areas, and parking lots. To address this, a dedicated task force has been established to meticulously review all green spaces slated for gazetting in the capital city.

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This will empower the public to see that the park in their area is a gazetted green area.

Following the completion of the gazetting process, the ministry intends to publish a comprehensive online list of these designated green areas, complete with their locations. This initiative is designed to empower the public, enabling them to verify the status of green spaces in their respective neighborhoods. "This will empower the public to see that the park in their area is a gazetted green area," Yeoh stated, adding that once gazetted, citizens can question commercial activities within these zones. She urged for public patience as hundreds of green spaces await the gazetting process.

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I hope all parties will be patient as there are still hundreds of green spaces waiting for the gazetting process.