Members of the public are still allowed to use the Taman Rimba Kiara park even though metal poles have been placed there for a demarcation exercise, said Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa.

He said the demarcation done by the landowner Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is to mark legal boundaries.

"If demarcation of fencing takes place, the public must be allowed to use, it must not restrict residents from continuing to use the park, at least for now. This is to ensure continuous engagement between the owner, residents association and local MPs," he said after visiting the park today.

On the renaming of the park from Taman Rimba Kiara to Taman Awam Bukit Kiara, he said it was "merely a suggestion" by the DBKL.

"I have reminded DBKL that to change the name, there is a certain procedure to follow and submissions must be made by a special committee headed by the ministry's secretary-general and ministry. So far that has not been done," he said.

However, he said the ministry had no problem if the locals wished to retain the name of the park.

On July 29, DBKL posted on Facebook on renaming Taman Rimba Kiara as Taman Awam Bukit Kiara to avoid the public confusing the park with the nearby Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara, which is under the National Landscape Department.

- Bernama