THE Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) took another step towards integrating local residents in programmes for the community with its Friends of Taman Aman.

The programme is based on the successful implementation of an earlier Friends of Kelana Jaya Lake that involved non-government organisations (NGOs), Rukun Tetangga (RT) and residents associations (RA).

Like the earlier one, the objective of the new programme is to have the NGOs and residents work together to maintain the cleanliness of the park besides being the “eyes'' of the authorities. Those involved are Taman Lean Seng RT (Section 22), Sea Park RT (Section 21), Taman Paramount RA (Section 20), Global Environment Centre (GEC), Trees and National Backpackers Association. Announcing the formation of the new group was Kampung Tunku assemblyman Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou.

“We want to bring a lot more activities into the park besides keeping the place clean,'' he said.

“We will have the Petaling Basketball Association organising games and look forward to inviting NGOs like World Wide Fund (WWF) and Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) to join us,” said Dr Wong.

The launch of Friends of Taman Aman will be held on Sunday at Taman Aman, Jalan 20/19 with activities starting from 8am to noon. Activities will range from fishing and basketball competitions to environment-awareness exhibitions. There will also be more “Friends of Lake'' programmes by MPPJ, involving two lakes – PJS10 Lake and Taman Jaya Lake.

Dr Wong said a proposal to provide the NGOs involved in the programmes with a contact office was being drawn up. The Sungei Way Community Centre is one venue suggested. GEC programme officer Dr K. Kalithasan said the lake programmes were a part of “Friends of Sungai Penchala'', an idea that involved residents living near the river to adopt the stretch of river and maintain its cleanliness.

“The community in Petaling Jaya is educated and knows about environmental concerns, but our problem is in mobilising the community to take up the cause,” he said.

“We want residents to feel that the parks and lakes belong to them.''