THE authorities’ issuing an eviction notice to Kebun-Kebun Bangsar is unacceptable. The farm has been a community project in Bangsar for more than five years.
It is ironic that the eviction notice was sent weeks after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had praised the farm as part of his World Environmental Day speech. This is not in line with Malaysia’s commitment to saving the environment.
It is also ironic that the farm, which has been there for more than five years, is now being subjected to a nuisance notice from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall. Even though the surrounding residents have given their approval for the farm, there are still some hidden hands that are trying to instigate the authorities.
This farm has been a change maker in the Klang Valley, with people and children going there to learn, experience and even grow their own produce. There are even activities and campaigns to amplify these efforts, which have been backed by many political parties and MPs.
With the current government championing sustainability and green living, it would be expected for them to protect and preserve Kebun-Kebun Bangsar instead of evicting them. The prime minister needs to step in and take this matter seriously.
The Klang Valley is running out of green lung to make way for mass development. This farm is among the few places that have been preserving and cultivating greenery.
We should be promoting more urban farming instead of trying to find a way to evict them. Especially in the current food crisis we are facing, there must be more measures taken to counter this, like promoting urban farming.
There have already been many who signed a petition for this farm not to be demolished. The government must take this seriously and not ignore the cries of the rakyat. I urge the authorities to reconsider their decision and help the farm get an occupation licence to continue operating as normal.
We need to create an eco-friendly, sustainable and green future for our coming generations. A farm like Kebun-Kebun Bangsar, in the midst of Klang Valley’s concrete jungle, is a sight for sore eyes. – The Vibes, July 1, 2022
Maria Chin Abdullah is Petaling Jaya MP