KL to add 49ha of green spaces as city moves to protect open areas, says Hannah Yeoh

In a strategic move to enhance Kuala Lumpur's green spaces and recreational facilities, the city's administration plans to create nearly 49 hectares of new parks and recreational areas, according to Hannah Yeoh, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Federal Territories. The initiative aims not only to generate new recreational spaces but also to legally designate and safeguard all valuable open and green areas in Kuala Lumpur.

The plan includes pre-development works and the use of Department of Irrigation and Drainage reserves along Sungai Bunus and Kolam Ayer Panas. Specific areas targeted for development are the pond area adjacent to Jalan Tasik Permaisuri 3, and a phased project at the Kampung Sungai Bohol Retention Pond.

The newly created green spaces will be equipped with basic infrastructure suited for all age groups, such as jogging tracks and lighting. Enforcement efforts will also be intensified to prevent unauthorized encroachment and commercial activities. Yeoh noted that 556 open-space lots have been gazetted, with more than 200 others in the final stages of the process. This transparency allows residents to access the list of protected open spaces through the MyHijau application on the official PPTGWP portal.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud announced that the city will allocate more than RM200 million under Budget 2027 for the green cluster, which covers the management, preservation, and upgrading of public facilities. The administration has also applied for a matching grant scheme, aiming to upgrade 14 neighborhood children's playgrounds to safer, more modern designs.