Ong can put a stop to the rot

22/05/2003

By Jugjet Singh; Arnaz M. Khairul

REITERATING that he is virtually helpless in the campaign to save playing
fields, Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein has called on Housing
and Local Government Minister, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting to play a bigger
role in this matter.
"As a Sports Minister, I fully support the campaign to save playing
fields, otherwise it will be a disaster. But my hands are tied because it
falls under the jurisdiction of the local authorities," said Hishammuddin
after chairing his Ministry's post-Cabinet meeting in Kuala Lumpur
yesterday.
"We must all work towards a common goal which is to preserve the quality
of life."
Hishammuddin also took a swipe at developers for their ill-management
which eventually leads to the loss of playing fields.
Among the numerous fields under the spotlight is the Ulu Klang
Recreational Club (UKRC) which has been marked for development by the
Selangor state Government.
And even the Deputy Sports Minister Ong Tee Keat, who is the Member of
Parliament for Ampang Jaya where the UKRC field is, just shook his head
and said: "I was the first to write and ask for the field to be saved, but
if people do not listen...," lamented Ong.
While Hishammuddin and his deputy's hands are tied due to the immense
political red-tape, no mention was made by both of them about seeking a
dialogue with the relevent authorities to save, or provide alternative
plots for fields which are marked for development.
"As I have said earlier, if anyone knows about school fields that are
going to be turned into, say labs, or more classrooms, please let me know
because we (Ministry of Sports) have an understanding with the Ministry of
Education to stop such intrusions," said Hishammuddin.
Hishammuddin said he also couldn't do much about State Government
policies, which dictate that development take precedence over sporting
needs.
Asked whether there was a need for him to call for a directive to
preserve plots of land where playing fields are located, Hishammuddin
said: "I can call for directives, but who's going to listen?"
"I would however, like to take developers to task. When we have playing
fields in residential areas, they should be kept. Sometimes new areas have
the playing fields for the first few years.
"Then the developers decide not to take care of it, and when it is down,
we lose it.," said Hishammuddin.
(END)