WATCH YOUR STEP

(From left) Lim Lip Eng, Lim Tiam Soon and Yap Fong Yoong inspecting the viewing platform at Taman Tasik Manjalara. — Picture by Syarafiq Abd Samad

News from: http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2oot/Article/ (By Dawn Chan, 24/6/2011)

Park visitors are concerned about a cracked viewing platform in Taman Tasik Manjalara in Kepong. One of the several viewing platforms surrounding the Taman Tasik Manjalara in Kepong is on the verge of collapsing and endangering the safety of park users. One of the viewing platforms built on the edge of the lake adjoining the recreational park's jogging track had cracked from its pathway foundation, leaving a 50cm gap.
Several joggers Streets spoke to said they began to notice the deteriorating condition of the platform about a year ago when the gap was still small. They said the gap grew bigger and they have alerted City Hall about the safety hazard. However, the joggers claimed that their complaints had fallen on deaf ears.
Chong, who goes to the park daily, said he and fellow joggers had even tied red ribbons at the cracked platform to warn park users from stepping onto it. "We highlighted this matter to City Hall several times but nothing was done to address the problem. "I urge City Hall to act quickly before it becomes costlier to repair the damage," Chong added. "I think the platform cracked because of poor design and a foundation that is not deep enough," he said. Chong, who is from Segambut, said if the viewing platform was not repaired, it could weaken further. He said City Hall should check on the other viewing platforms to see if they are in similar condition.
Lim Tiam Soon, 68, who goes to the park with his grandchildren, described the situation as hazardous. "Instead of spending time leisurely here, I have to keep an eye on the children as I am afraid they will go near the platform or fall into the lake. "City Hall should repair the platform quickly or cordon off the area," said the Taman Maluri resident.
Another Taman Maluri resident Yap Fong Yoong, 63, expressed regret that the park had not been properly maintained for sometime. "The fountains are out of order and the place is no longer safe. "Previously, there were guards on duty, even at night," said Yap, who is a regular visitor at the park for about 10 years now.
The trio had sought the assistance of Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng to have the matter resolved. Lim said he had written to City Hall's Landscaping and Urban Control Cleaning Department but had received no response from it.