Playground ordeal: 'When will they learn?'

That was the question posed by Bukit Bandaraya Residents’ Association (RA) chairman Mumtaz Ali in response to The Malay Mail’s cover story yesterday exposing yet another neighbourhood playground besieged with hazardous elements – exposed cables, uncovered manholes and damaged lamp posts.

“This is very disturbing,” said Mumtaz.

“Only recently a boy died due to carelessness by the authorities. Have they not learnt from it? If something untoward were to happen again, the authorities will come up with all sorts of excuses."

Two months ago, Muhammad Naqiuddin, 11, was electrocuted to death when he grazed a lamp post at a playground in Taman Batu Tiga, Shah Alam.
Ravindran Raman Kutty

RAVINDRAN: Don't wait for disaster to happen

Mumtaz related his own experience with the incompetency of local authorities.

“I had to personally hound City Hall’s landscaping department to do something about overgrown grass and rusty park amenities in the two parks we have. I think they had grown bored of seeing my face all the time.

“Once I complained to a City Hall contractor that our park has not been swept and I was informed that they are only contracted to sweep once a month! This is ridiculous."

The Malay Mail exposure yesterday also revealed that the playground in Taman Bukit Maluri was a "sex haunt" for juvenile delinquents.

“We used to have the same problem; outsiders come to our parks to drink or make out. The next day the park would be littered with beer bottles,” said Mumtaz, adding the RA had taken the initiative to fence and lock up their park to stop the menace.

All Petaling Jaya Residents Association Coalition president Johan Tung Abdullah said in PJ, many parks have become meeting points for those who consume alcohol.

“This should not be allowed as playgrounds are not pubs. We are hopeful both the police and the PJ City Council will take quick action against this trend.”

Bandar Sri Damansara RA chairman Ravindran Raman Kutty said the authorities should not wait for disasters to happen and work with residents to resolve their issues.

“The authorities must work closely with the communities to help maintain and upkeep their neighbourhood.”

"The authorities alone cannot do it,” said Ravindran.