THE installation of metal fence around Padang Merbok in Kuala Lumpur is part of the maintenance methods to ensure that the field is always in the best condition and can be used optimally, Kuala Lumpur mayor Mahadi Che Ngah said.

He said the use of the field without a regulating system resulted in the green area often being damaged, thus incurring high repair and upgrade costs.

“Now with the fence, I’m sure the maintenance of the field will be carried out effectively and anyone can make a booking to use it,” he said last night.

“Even when people want to enter, we can manage it well and if the field is damaged, we will close it for a while to do repair work before reopening.”

Yesterday, the media reported that two Federal Territories MPs asked for an explanation from the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) regarding the permanent metal fence about 1.5 metres high being erected around Padang Merbok and described it as sending the wrong signal to the people of Kuala Lumpur.

Among the questions are that the fence is seen to be preventing people from using public facilities for recreation and preventing them from gathering before walking to the Parliament building to send memorandums or stage protests.

Mahadi said the public is still allowed to use Padang Merbok with scheduled permission and a similar approach has also been implemented in several other areas.

He said Padang Merbok, which also has drainage problems, is still undergoing upgrading work and has not yet been opened to the public.

Earlier, Mahadi officiated at the closing ceremony and final match of the DBKL public pousing and people’s housing project football tournament or DBKL Home Cup 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium. – Bernama, August 7, 2022.