KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 — For Taman Segar resident Swee Len, 80, happiness at her age can be found in the simplest pleasure — a daily morning walk at a playground near her house.

So when Minister in the Prime Minister Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh announced that a park smaller than half a football pitch is now safe from development, Swee Len breathed a sigh of relief.

“To us seniors, this is all we want. Almost daily, in the morning, the senior community will have this part to walk,” the octogenarian said.

“It’s a relief to know this little playground will not be taken away for yet another high-rise development. I’m sure the rest of the community feels the same,” she added.

The modest playground at Persiaran Lemak in Taman Segar, Cheras, is among four newly gazetted sites under a broader push to protect green and open spaces in the capital city, which often become flashpoints between residents and developers. 

The other three consists of a community hall right next to the playground on Persiaran Lemak and two open spaces at Jalan Damai Puspa in Alam Damai. All these locations are in Cheras. 

Swee Len, a proud member of the local Rukun Tetangga, said both the sites have long been used by local residents. 

“The centre is almost like home for us seniors. We always meet and hang out here,” she said while offering a tour and some tea.

Swee Len, 80, finds happiness in her daily morning walks at the pocket park near her house in Taman Segar, Cheras. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Yeoh, speaking to the press as she announced the playground’s new protected status, said public spaces like the the playground in Taman Segar can signify more than just recreation – often it can be the beating heart of the local community, especially for older persons.

“This is why these green spaces are so important,” the minister said today. 

“This is the reason we have a task force and we are running against time to gazette as many parks as possible, so that our senior citizens can have a breathing space where they can walk in the morning, meet their friends and exercise,” she added.

“As long as people support us this is what we’ll do.”

Yeoh announced the push to protect the city’s green spaces upon becoming FT minister.

By February, 494 areas were already given protected status before an additional 45 areas she announced on April 15.

The four additional areas designated as public space means the total number of green and open spaces successfully gazetted has increased to 543 areas.