In our last statement , the Kepong Citizen Network (KCN) highlighted that Taman Metropolitan Kepong was designated as a public recreational area in the Draft Kuala Lumpur 2020 City Plan. However, 20.92 acres or around 10 percent of the public recreational land was degazetted in June 2015 to pave way for a mixed development project.

The whole process of land conversion was conducted by the authorities including Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) within a very short period of time in a less than transparent manner.

In order to uncover current status and owner of the said land (lot Ptd 67619), KCN has taken the initiative to conduct a land search on Aug 25, 2015.

A certified plan produced by the Land and Survey Department shows the details of the plot of land Lot 67619, Mukim Batu, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur dated March 18, 2009 on which Taman Metropolitan Kepong is situated. Clearly stated on this official plan is the fact that Lot 67619 is designated as a park reserve - Rizab Taman Metropolitan Kepong.

A digital land plot obtained via official channel from the Land and Survey Department dated Aug 25, 2015 shows Taman Metropolitan Kepong as an open space/public park, NOT land zoned for residential or mixed development use.

From media report (ref: The Star), the City Hall revealed that the conversion of 21 acres of Taman Metropolitan Kepong park land occurred on June 15, 2015. What drove DBKL and the authority to convert 21 acres of public parkland into private mixed development use at such a lightning pace?

Who is the land owner?

Another pertinent question that has thus far been omitted by the authorities is with regards to land ownership. Which party owns the degazetted 21 acres of formerly Taman Metropolitan Park land now? Has the land been completely alienated to the developer of the mixed development project Sinerjuta Sdn Bhd or is DBKL a co-owner in some sort of joint venture arrangement?

How much land premium has the current owner paid for the land?

These are crucial questions of great public interests and until full disclosures are made by the authority, ongoing earthwork on the land (Lot 67619, Mukim Batu) should be halted.

KCN look forward to obtain full disclosure from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall and the Minister of Federal Territories. We have written to Kuala Lumpur Mayor Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz and Federal Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to ask for a meeting on the issues raised.

In the meantime, we will continue to support the efforts led by the local residential association, Member of Parliament and independent social worker Yee Poh Ping in voicing out the concerns of the people.