I spoke to the toilet cleaner of a park in Lahad Datu, praised him for his good job. I asked if people like this park. He answered yes and that there are so many families enjoying this park everyday. The park is situated in town but it feels like being in the wild.
The man continued on, “I was told long time ago a China man in this town built this park and many of the trees here are planted by him”.
I smiled and said, “I am that China man”. I pointed to Mr Lai standing next to me “We spent many evenings clearing the bush and lalang, and planted many of these trees”.
20 years ago, as a council member of Majlis Daerah Lahad Datu I proposed to convert a plot of small land that sat in the middle of the town with compacted soil, overgrown with lalang and bushes. It was a site supposedly for a town hall to be built then.
I saw the need of a park in that area and convinced the council to build the town hall further outskirts of the town instead, and introduced an urban forest park. Some people opposed, wondering why bring in wilderness into a town.
I went back to visit the place last week, together with Mr Lai-the only person who helped me during the initial stages. Seeing how it has taken off gave me a great sense of achievement.
Thank you to Mr Chua Ching Kun, bekas setiausaha MDLD, who supported the proposal, thanks to landscape team of MDLD who upkeep the park, and Dr Yap, Innoprise, for donating the seedlings.
