SUBANG RIA PARK - CASSA APPEALS TO SULTAN SELANGOR!

March 8, 2010 on 11:30 am | In General |

SUBANG RIA PARK – CASSA APPEALS TO HRH SELANGOR SULTAN!

This is certainly not the first time I am asking these questions?

1. Whose incompetence, oversight and negligence was it when a separate title was issued to a developer for the 32 hectare park and lake popularly known as Subang Ria Park in Selangor?

2. How many titles for other open spaces such as lakes and parks are still in the hands of developers and yet to be surrendered to the government?

And why am I asking these questions yet again?

Simple!

The tragedy of Subang Jaya is that more than 35 years ago, where then hundreds of pensioners and others invested in an unknown housing scheme after being given the representation that they also would become co-owners of the 32ha land which has a lake, park and recreational area.

So they invested in this scheme even though there were more established ones in other areas.

Today, more than 35 years later, thanks to bureaucratic incompetence, foolishness and apathy of the highest order, the title for the 32ha Park still lies in the developer’s hands.

Now the only green lung in the mammoth concrete jungle called Subang Jaya is about to be exposed to further unhindered construction and perhaps, in future, to massive floods.

The wrangle for control over the park had been going on long enough between the developer, the municipal council, the state government, NGO’s like the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) and residents groups who want the title to be returned to the local council for the area to be gazette as a park.

File picture

Today, there are many ‘new voices’ added to this call but when it first started in 1998 it was just my team and I with several senior Subang Jaya residents!

For leading the campaign – I was ‘black listed’, defamed, my ‘rice bowl’ broken by powerful forces!

I was repeatedly targeted as a trouble-maker, controversial and non resident busy body, a personal non grata!

Complains were made to the special branch but little did they know they were my friends too!

Padan Muka!

But perhaps, those who questioned my motive, agenda, involvement there did not know of my consumer advocate background and track record nor were they aware that I used to live in Subang Jaya before some of them with my relatives in the late 70-80’s in what was then popularly known as the ‘horse shoe homes!

Many of my relatives still do live there!

It should ring a bell for the pioneer buyers of the scheme!

But I will not go back into all that – why re-open old wounds and hurt?

The truth is from time to time, when public outcry becomes politically unbearable - those in the seats of power would assure that no development would be approved for the park. But when the heat is of, again we hear of development plans and schemes for the area.

This is a pity because if political leaders whom we respect and repeatedly return to power cannot keep their promises and uphold the right of the individual and the community, why should that community continue to blindly vote them in?

The Subang Ria Park tragedy and similar ones throughout the country show us quite clearly that we should not put our trust in those who make many countless representations in many versions, ultimately betraying us voters.

The pertinent question in Subang Jaya is when will such betrayal come to a halt and will those behind it made to account for wronging a community of residents?
File Picture- protest memorandum handed to then PM’

As I said – perhaps, we need to re-look at this whole issue and initiate a fresh approach. One that will perhaps be a ‘win-win situation’ for all those concerned!

I said this in my private moments to the SJMC Chief several months ago and our offer to mediate.

We need to move forward and perhaps what is needed is a more open discussion and less politicking!

A such - I cannot but appeal to our beloved Sultan of Selangor to please right a wrong and provide a breakthrough that will result in the said 32ha of land called the Subang Ria Park gazette as a park and recreational area for all.

As early as in 1999 a massive ‘Save Subang Ria Park Campaign’ was launched and initiated by the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (CASSA) assisted by the then Member of Parliament Tan Sri Dato’ Dr K.S Nijhar.(see above left)

FLASHBACK

Below another example of the campaign:

THE STAR Metro
Friday, June 27, 2003

Subang’s green lung yet to be gazetted

The Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor ( CASSA) is alarmed that despite a promise made by the Selangor Government to gazette the over 40ha Subang Ria Park and recreational area in Subang Jaya in the year 2000, nothing has transpired since.

It has been more than three years since former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Abu Hassan Omar made a promise that he would initiate all efforts to gazette the popular park as a green lung, but to-date, nothing has come out of it! Uncertainty continues to prevail!

The promise was made after CASSA launched its Save Subang Ria Park Campaign in 2000 which captured the attention of both local communities bent on protecting their green lungs and environmental groups.

We urge the present MB Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, to initiate the gazette to fulfil and settle a 19-year wait for residents of Subang Jaya and the surrounding area.

This matter has been left for far too long and it is pertinent that the Federal Government intervenes and instructs the state government to take the necessary steps to protect the rights and interests of the Subang community.

A campaign to collect over one million signatures has been initiated to accompany a memorandum of appeal to be sent to the Selangor Government on the matter.

The said campaign launched by Subang MP Tan Sri Dato Dr K.S. Nijhar.

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