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Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that recreational land can no longer be used for other purposes. 20.8.2003.

Malaysia faces difficulties in keeping and maintaining green lungs such as those for recreation and palygrounds. Trespassers abound. Many of them are from component parties of the ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional.

The Federal Government must have a detailed record of all recreational areas in the country and ensure that they are gazetted. Then, it should see that all local authorities drive out trespassers.

For years, unscrupulous people encroach on green lungs, using various pretexts. The trespassers are often component parties of the Barisan Nasional. Some local councils carry on as though nothing has happened.

On 18 August, 2003, Dato' Seri Abdullah chaired the 51st meeting of the National Council for Local Councils at his office in Putrajaya.

He points out: "(There have been numerous cases of such areas being developed by unscrupulous people). This happens because the land is not gazetted and no one knows the actual status of the land. Maybe the approving party (local council) failed to conduct proper checks or had insufficient information on the status of such land. Thus, approval was granted for development."

Looking at green lungs in various places, we can see that component parties of BN especially UMNO and MCA trespass. For example, UMNO Kepong Division occupies a recreational area that is a stone's throw from Jalan Kuching, Kuala Lumpur.

Recently, the Selayang Municipality knows about the status of the recreational area near the Kepong Indah Perdana Apartments. Its president Hj Bakaruddin deliberately approves part of the land for MCA to build its branch office. Nearby residents protested. But, the president turns a blind eye.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw