Kuala lumpur: A total of 494 gazetted green and open spaces in the capital, published online, are now accessible to the public through the implementation of an open data initiative. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh emphasized that this move aims to enhance transparency and public participation in the protection of urban green spaces.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Hannah Yeoh announced that this implementation is a significant reform to bolster transparency and involve the public more actively. The public can access the complete list of these spaces through the MyHijau icon on the official website of the Federal Territories Land and Mines Office (PPTGWP). The announcement was made during a press conference at Taman Rimba Bukit Kerinchi, with key figures like Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud and Federal Territories Land and Mines director Datin Rahilah Rahmat present.
Hannah remarked that the initiative aligns with aspirations long voiced by civil society and coalitions of Kuala Lumpur residents' associations, reflecting the outcomes of engagement sessions held earlier this year. She explained that green and open spaces serve not only as recreational areas but also as community connectors, promoting healthy lifestyles and enhancing resilience to urban climate challenges.
The minister also highlighted the public's newfound ability to verify which sites have been gazetted, enabling them to submit objections if there are efforts to convert these green spaces for other uses. This access to information empowers the community to act where previously they might have been unaware or unable to intervene.
Additionally, Hannah reported that 256 sites are still in the process of being gazetted, varying in procedural and technical stages. A Special Task Force on the Gazettement of Open and Green Spaces has been established by the Federal Territories Department to address technical issues, improve inter-agency coordination, and expedite the gazettement process. Despite varying timelines for each case, Hannah urged swift action to complete the process efficiently.