The Star, April 12 2007

By Dharmender Singh

SELANGOR: Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has assured Kota Damansara folk that no portion of the former Community Forest Park would be used for development. 

Dr Khir said that although only 22ha of the land was currently set aside for a cemetery, the remaining 36ha would be left for use only as a burial ground.  “I know there are fears that the remaining land will be used for development but the truth is we are keeping that land for future use,” he said after chairing the state executive council meeting in Shah Alam yesterday. He said the additional land would be needed within a decade or more as the current burial ground would be nearly fully utilised by then. Dr Khir said the state government was also looking at creating a large park for public use and would hold a public hearing in Kota Damansara soon to get the response of residents there. He said the plan was to have a park built on a 40ha site together with a pond, football field and futsal courts for the young and old to use for daily exercise. “There are a lot of buildings in Damansara but not enough recreational areas, especially for the lower income group, to use and if the people agree to it we will spend between RM50mil and RM100mil to develop it,” he added.