AMPANG: The Ulu Klang Recreation Club (UKRC) is unhappy that the Selangor government is dragging its feet in organising a public hearing on amending the status of the club's land in Jalan Pelangi, Kuala Ampang here.

IMPROVEMENTS ON HOLD: The club plans to upgrade its facilities after it receives a title to the land — Pic: Shahir Omar

Club president Andrew Gopal (pic) said the members had been waiting for six months to attend the hearing that would lead to the 1.2 ha being re-gazetted from the current "open space" to "recreational".

"Once the hearing is held and amendment done, we can work on getting the land title," he told The Malay Mail yesterday.

UKRC has been paying the land premium since 1958 and has been involved in a tussle with the local government over the past two decades over ownership of the land where a clubhouse has been built.

"With a title to the land, we will have the confidence to improve facilities at the club, including proper drainage for the football field and upgrading the basketball court beside the clubhouse," said Gopal.

A serious effort to change the status of the club's land began on April 1 this year when it was tabled by Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib at the Selangor state assembly and subsequently approved.

Saari had asked the State government to either amend the gazette or to revoke the land gazette and issue a new land title for the club.

Following this, he had said a public hearing would be held for the residents to express their grouses on the amendment.

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had suggested that the hearing be chaired by Orang Besar Daerah Gombak Datuk Paduka Raja Wan Mahmood Pawan Teh.

"I contacted Wan Mahmood three weeks ago and he told me to wait for a letter from his office," said Gopal.
Contacted by The Malay Mail, Wan Mahmood said the process of appointing members to the hearing committee must be done judiciously and this requires time.