Govt Committed To Identifying Green Areas In Kuala Lumpur Every Month - Hannah Yeoh

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- The government is committed to continue the identifying of green and open spaces in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur on a monthly basis to ensure more public spaces are protected for the use of the people.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the measure was implemented through a fast-track approach by the Special Task Force on the Declaration of Open and Green Spaces, which was established to expedite the process.

"There are still many areas,.. now the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is working hard with the Director of Lands and Mines to increase the identifying every month. This is our focus and priority.

"This effort will continue every month with more areas being identified for gazetting from time to time," she said at a press conference regarding the addition of gazetted green and open spaces in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur.

Also present were Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud, Director of Lands and Mines of the Federal Territory Datin Rahilah Rahmat, Federal Territory Department (JWP) director-general Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain, and Seputeh Member of Parliament Teresa Kok.

Yeoh also announced the gazetting of 45 more green and open spaces covering 277,663.90 square metres (27.76 hectares), bringing the total number of protected areas to 539 locations so far.

"This area is now secured as public property through the continuous efforts of the Special Task Force for the Declaration of Open and Green Spaces under the JWP.

"This gazetting means that these areas can no longer be arbitrarily converted for other purposes and will remain as public spaces for community, family and future generations," she said.

She said that the move is also part of a long-term strategy to make Kuala Lumpur a more sustainable and resilient city, including adapting the 'Sponge City' concept to address flooding issues and the city's rising temperatures.

She also said that the public can check the full list of gazetted areas through the official portal of the Office of the Director of Lands and Mines of the Federal Territory at the link https://www.ptgwp.gov.my/portal.

Meanwhile,Yeoh added that the Special Task Force for the Declaration of Open and Green Spaces would be led by Muhammad Azmi and involve various key agencies including the Federal Territory Land and Mines Department and related technical agencies, with meetings held regularly every month.

-- BERNAMA