KUALA LUMPUR: A public park in Kampung Baru Air Panas has been sold to a private company which lists its business as a holding company and residential buildings, according to sources.
It is understood that Kolam Ayer Panas Recreation Park has been taken over by a company which recorded a net loss of RM231,000 for the financial year ended December 2021 (FY21) despite protests by nearby residents.
Efforts for New Straits Times (NST) to reach out to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to verify the status of the park as a gazetted public park, the size of the park and details of the sale came to naught after two weeks.
NST's attempts to get in touch with a former politician who is believed to behind the company with a paid up capital of RM400,000, also was unsuccessful.
In a whatsapp exchange with a DBKL officer, he said the park was not owned by the city hall but that city hall was asked to manage it.
"I am still waiting for a response from the dedicated agency, because this issue includes other agency, the land is also actually not owned by DBKL," he said before no longer responding to whatsapps.
NST received confirmation from the Selangor Menteri Besar's office that the park does not come under Selangor state lines.
It is understood that the park had been allowed to rundown, with a previously staffed management office closed, just a few months before a signboard stating that it is now under private ownership was put up,
Frustrated residents around the area set up banners (picture) to express their dissatisfaction with the park changing hands.
NST is withholding the name of the developer pending a comment.