A TOTAL of 23,810 trees were simultaneously planted over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan in conjunction with National Landscape Day recently.

Some 12,060 trees were planted in Kuala Lunpur, while 10,000 were planted in Putrajaya and 1,750 in Labuan. In Kuala Lumpur, 24 locations were identified in 11 parliamentary constituencies.

Here we go: Nong Chik planting a tree during the event. — Bernamapic

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, who launched the event at the PPR Kerinchi in Pantai Dalam, hoped the exercise would inspire and create awareness among KL residents on the importance of planting trees.

“We must learn to understand the importance of trees and with understanding and awareness comes a sense of responsibility towards the environment,” Nong Chik said.

“Everyone should share that responsibility and not just expect the government to do everything.

“A green city is a harmonious city and we can all be proud one day when the trees we have planted today grow strong, healthy and beautiful,” he said.

The trees were planted in Lembah Pantai (1,500), Setiawangsa (400), Titiwangsa (500), Cheras (1560), Bandar Tun Razak (4000), Wangsa Maju (200), Seputeh (1000), Bukit Bintang (100), Segambut (100) and Kepong (1000).

KUALA LUMPUR: KL mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail has dismissed the notion that Taman Seputeh is seeing too much development and, therefore, needs to have more of its green areas preserved.

“Everybody is saying the same thing. But if we stop approving projects on privately-owned land, where are we going to get the money to compensate these land title-holders?” asked Ahmad Fuad when contacted recently.

He was responding to the protests of residents when they learnt that a part of thick foliage around their homes will be cleared for the proposed construction of a car park for a place of worship in Persiaran Syed Putra.

People in this neighbourhood have been bemoaning the constant loss of foliage to development the last few years. They are wondering why the authorities are not putting a stop to this as they fear the locality may become another Mont' Kiara and Jalan Dungun, Damansara, where buildings are too close for comfort.

People here said they not only have to endure housing congestion, but also traffic problems and air pollution.

When a property is private land, there is little the authorities can do, Ahmad Fuad argued.

“Owners of private land who have paid quit rent to the land office, have the right to develop it. Otherwise, the issue of compensation will arise," he said.

When asked if he could order a landowner to scale down the plan to appease nearby residents, if indeed there was a proposal development for a car park in Persiaran Syed Putra, he stressed he had not seen the drawings.

“I will have to check on it,” he replied.

Ahmad Fuad assured City Hall’s town planning department will assess Taman Seputeh, a neighbourhood where people have chosen to live because of its vast greenery amidst the city's concrete jungle.

THE Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry will not entertain any appeal for an extension of its lease by the owners of One Bangsar and Bangsar Seafood Restaurant in Jalan Ara.

Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said he had received an appeal letter from the owners but the ministry would not consider it.

Nong Chik said he was aware that many roads in Bangsar are being converted into commercial zones but there was a limit to everything.

“Any area that is being developed, you have to allow for commercialisation but this is only limited to the main roads. Inner roads like Jalan Ara will remain residential and that is the way it is going to be from now on,” Nong Chik said.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail said the move not to renew the lease of One Bangsar was a promise he made to the residents.

“A promise is a promise. They (the residents) were not happy with the commercial activities there and I promised that when the lease expires, I would not renew it,” Fuad said.

“We will give the business operators six months to look for alternatives,” Fuad said, adding that the decision was in line with the government’s call in putting people first.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said she was happy that residents who were directly affected were finally getting what they wanted.

“For five years, they have been fighting and they should be applauded for not giving up hope,” she said, adding that DBKL should, however, have consistent policies on business activities.

When contacted, the owner of One Bangsar declined to comment on the matter saying they had yet to receive anything in black and white from the DBKL.