The Royal Selangor Golf Club at Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, may be revamped into a public park similar to New York’s famous Central Park.

Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan said his ministry has received the proposal to do so from Kuala Lumpur residents, and pledged to start negotiations with the land owners and other interested parties of the club, including the Selangor Sultan ( photo ).

“The wishes of the people of Kuala Lumpur is to have public space. There are proposals that perhaps it is better for the golf turf to be moved outside the Kuala Lumpur and the land should be turned into a place like Central Park in New York.

“I don’t have an opinion on this, but the proposal has been accepted by the ministry to ensure that there is green space for the people,” he told a press conference in Subang Jaya today.

Although he admitted that this will be an uphill task considering the heritage and nostalgia surrounding the club, Abdul Rahman pointed out that many people would benefit from the conversion.

He added that an art space can also be set up in the proposed park to cater for activities that are more active, healthy, and beneficial to city dwellers.

“Although we already have the Perdana Botanical Gardens and Titiwangsa Gardens, neither of them are within walking distance from Kuala Lumpur’s commercial centre.

“Members of the public can go straight to the (new) park after work instead of getting in their cars to face the traffic jam. They can come here directly if there is a park near Kuala Lumpur’s central business district,” he said.

Anticipates stiff opposition

The club was built in 1893 and is among the oldest golf clubs in the country, featuring an 18-hole course.

Abdul Rahman said he does not know how long it would take to turn the proposal to reality, but said that he anticipates stiff opposition to the proposal especially from the club members.

“We have to discuss it first, this club has a history. We can’t belittle the nostalgia of the club members either.

“We want an open heart in this discussion and hear out from various parties and benefits first. At least it can boost the culture of recreation in parks,” he said.