Leong (fifth from left) handing over the petition against a public hall in Taman Putra, Ampang being used as a storage facility to MPAJ Department of Valuation and Property Management assistant officer Azhar Abd Hamid (fifth from right). Looking on are Liew (fourth from right), Chong (third from right) and Tanan Putra residents.

THE public hall in Taman Putra, Ampang that was misused as a storage facility will now be managed by the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).

Residents there had initially expressed disappointment that the hall was used to store canopies and tables by a business operator since early this year.

When the matter was brought up by Pandan MCA division chairman Datuk Leong Kok Wee last month, MPAJ decided to take over the management of the hall effective Aug 9.

The hall was previously managed by the local councillor there.

MPAJ press relations officer Norhayati Ahmad said the business operator must remove all their materials from the hall immediately.

“The hall will be upgraded later this year,” she added.

Earlier, Leong and several residents presented a petition to MPAJ urging them to look into the matter.

“How can a space that is meant for the community be used by outsiders?

“MPAJ must check if there has been an abuse of power and stern action taken,” he said in a press conference at Menara MPAJ.

Leong said if the local council and the elected representative did not address the matter, the residents would report it to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Taman Putra Residents Association chairman Addie Chong said community activities had to be conducted in neighbourhoods since they were told to stop using the hall.

“We had classes such as line dancing, zumba, martial arts and ping-pong there for many years.

“Initially, we were told it was unsafe to use the hall as there was a termite infestation.

“If so, how can it be used as a storage facility?” he said.

It was earlier reported that MPAJ demolished an illegal structure next to the hall that was used to store canopies and tables.

However, the activity resumed early this year, but this time, the hall itself became a store.

Teratai Gerakan Public Complaints Bureau chief Ben Liew, who was also present, said they would check all the other public halls in the Teratai constituency.

“We suspect that almost all 20 public halls have been misused. Some are used as car wash centres, offices, storage and even tuition centres.

“We are in the midst of compiling a list,” he said.