Millions are being spent on recreational parks in Iskandar Malaysia to promote a greener environment and a more balanced and sustainable development. — Picture by Mohamad Fahd Rahmat

THE Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) recently spent RM5 million on building a recreational park each in Taman Damai Jaya and Taman Tampoi, near Sungai Skudai.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the state government welcomed such an initiative which offered the local community a place for leisure and recreational activities.

During a programme launch at the recreational park in Taman Damai Jaya, Ghani said the project was aimed at building a green and sustainable environment.

His speech was read by state Local Government, Housing, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Zahri Ja m i l .

Also present were Irda chief executive officer Ismail Ibrahim, Gelang Patah member of parliment Tan Ah Heng, Nusajaya state assemblyman Datuk Aziz Sapian, state secretary Obet Tawil, Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) director Chong Chee Han and Johor Baru Central Municipal Council president Fuzi Ahmad Shamimi.

Ghani said a well-planned recreational park could help to improve the ecology and bring about a harmonious surrounding.

“Recreational parks play an important role in balancing physical development with the need for a lovely and peaceful life,” he said.

He added that the state government is committed to setting up a clean, lovely, comfortable and safe environment via the cooperation of the local authorities through its various rural and urban recreational development programmes.

“Such programmes involve developing and upgrading public parks, township programmes, schools, mosques and landscaping programmes, amongst others.

“The government will support more recreational parks in Iskandar Malaysia for a more balanced and sustainable development.”