KL launches task force to fast-track gazettement of 256 green spaces, protecting urban greenery and improving public access in the city.
PETALING JAYA: The Federal Territories Department has launched a dedicated task force to fast-track the official gazettement of Kuala Lumpur’s open and green spaces in a move aimed at safeguarding urban greenery from development pressures.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said the task force will identify technical gaps, resolve administrative delays and improve coordination among relevant agencies to ensure all remaining sites are formally gazetted.
“The team has been instructed to work as quickly as possible, though timelines may differ depending on each site’s technical and procedural requirements.”
Yeoh said 494 green and open space sites have already been gazetted and are publicly accessible on the Federal Territories Land and Mines website, while another 256 sites are still under process.
The move responds to long-standing calls by civil society groups and residents’ associations for greater transparency on the status of green spaces.
“Communities in Kuala Lumpur have consistently asked for clearer access to information so that people can enjoy, preserve and protect these valuable areas,” she said, noting that the matter had been raised during engagement sessions with residents.
Yeoh highlighted the wider importance of green and open spaces in urban areas.
“In a rapidly developing city, these spaces are not just for recreation. They support healthier lifestyles, connect communities, and are vital for Kuala Lumpur’s efforts to become a smart rainwater management city. Every green space matters.”
She warned that sites not formally gazetted remain vulnerable to ownership disputes or conversion for other uses.
“As long as a site is not gazetted, there is always a risk. Once a green space is lost, it cannot be replaced. That is why we must conserve and safeguard these areas.”
Efforts are also underway to identify potential new green spaces, including working with developers to incorporate additional greenery in redevelopment projects.
The task force’s work comes amid growing calls from architects and urban planners to transform neglected playgrounds and underused areas into inclusive green spaces, theSun reported on Sunday.
Malaysian Institute of Architects president Adrianta Aziz said existing guidelines should be updated to reflect evolving lifestyles.
“From an architectural perspective, concepts like placemaking and adaptive reuse can turn underused or neglected spaces into meaningful public areas designed for people, not just structures.”
Universiti Malaya urban and regional planning expert Dr Noor Hashimah Hashim Lim echoed the call, noting that Malaysia currently measures green space by land size per population, a method she says should be revised to align with global standards.
“Access to green spaces is a matter of equity and a basic human right and local authorities must ensure this is non-negotiable.”
