From: "Dato' Lee Hwa Beng"
Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:45:05
Metro Mail Star Publication
Dear Sir,
SUBANG RIA WAS ALIENATED AS AN URBAN PARK
I refer to the recent decision by MPSJ to seek public opinion on the development of Taman Subang Ria in Subang Jaya and also the decision of the Selangor State Government to declassify the minutes on the alienation of the land to Sime UEP Sdn Bhd.
As stated in the declassified records, the park was alienated to Sime UEP in 1986 in exchange for 10 units of houses valued of RM 2.7 million.
The MB was quoted in the press that the land belongs to Sime UEP and hence the company got the right to develop the land. However, the land was alienated by the previous state administration as urban park (or recreational land). As such this 72.64 acres of land should remain as urban park. That is why as a former councillor of MPSJ, MPPJ and state assemblyman for Subang Jaya, I have played a key role to reject any development in this beautiful park a least 4 times. The last time was in 2007 where more than 1000 residents attended the public hearing arranged by me where it was overwhelmingly rejected by those present.
I also cannot understand the logic of another public hearing when it was already rejected by more than 1000 residents in a properly held public hearing organized by MPSJ. It will be a wastage of public funds and the residents time.
Hence, nobody should blame the previous administration whether at MPSJ or State level in the handling of this issue. The declassified documents proved it is not part of the open space requirement of SJ development but separately alienated as urban park. The local authorities had rejected 4 times proposals for development. In fact, the 72.64 acres had increased the open space area of Subang Jaya (SS15 to SS19) from the original 5% to 10%. This is because previously only 5% are required for open space.
I have been quoted in the press that this park can only be developed over my dead body. However this pledge cannot apply now as I am no more the State Assemblyman. However, my passion to preserve the park still remains.
As the original intention of the then state government alienated it for urban park, it SHOULD remains so, If Sime UEP where in 1986 thought it okay to accept the land as urban park but many now think otherwise now, it should then surrender the land back to the state government.
After all, I believe this park had been a good selling point for Sime UEP in selling their properties in SJ and USJ.
DATO’ LEE HWA BENG
Former State Assemblyman for Subang Jaya
