01/02/2026

NATIONAL 5 theSun on Sunday FEB 1, 2026

Abandoned playgrounds spark call for policy review

Cops probing alleged murder suicide bid case

BATU PAHAT: Police have confirmed the discovery of a local woman’s body at a house in Taman Damai, believed to have been murdered by her boyfriend, after her family was unable to contact her for three days. Batu Pahat district police chief ACP Shahrulanuar Mushaddat Abdullah Sani said the body of the 41-year-old deceased, who worked at a supermarket, was found at about 12.30am on Friday. He said the discovery followed a check on the rented house conducted by police together with the deceased’s family and the homeowner. Shahrulanuar added that the Fire and Rescue Department was called in to break down the door after it was found locked from the inside. Upon entry, police discovered the victim lying lifeless on a bed. “Also found was a 44-year-old man, believed to be the victim’s boyfriend, lying on the bed next to her in critical condition with slash wounds to his neck and wrists. “Initial investigations suggest that the man committed a criminal act resulting in the victim’s death, before allegedly injuring himself. We do not rule out the possibility that the suspect intended to commit suicide,” he said in a statement. According to Shahrulanuar, police are still investigating the motive behind the incident. – Bernama Elderly man held over death of dog IPOH: Police have arrested an elderly man in connection with the death of a stray dog in Pusing near Batu Gajah. Batu Gajah police chief ACP Md Noor Aehawan Mohammad said police received a report on the incident at 9.30am on Friday. Preliminary investigations found that the incident occurred at about 7.30pm on Jan 28 when residents, after hearing a loud explosion, discovered a dog lying on the road near a restaurant, bleeding profusely from its mouth. He added that based on information received, police arrested a 64-year-old man at a shop in Pusing at about 11pm on Friday for suspected involvement in the case. – Bernama

Specialists urge rethink of outdated guidelines to reflect changing urban lifestyles and preferences

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

functional green areas for the benefit of communities and the built environment sector. Meanwhile, Universiti Malaya urban and regional planning expert Dr Noor Hashimah Hashim Lim said existing planning standards for playgrounds and green spaces remain relevant, citing the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of a minimum of nine square metres of green space per person. However, she said Malaysia’s current approach calculates green space provision based on acreage per population and suggested that standards could be revised to adopt the global benchmark of square metres per person. “Some major cities now aim for up to 30 square metres per person to reduce overcrowding and improve wellbeing. “Access to green spaces is a matter of equity and a basic human right, and provision by local authorities should be non-negotiable,” she said. Noor Hashimah also drew a distinction between the provision of green spaces, which she said is compulsory, and their actual usage, which depends heavily on usability, relevance and attractiveness to targeted user groups. “Times have changed. Local councils need to study current user needs, preferences and behaviour patterns instead of treating old playground equipment as a one-size-fits-all template,” she said, adding that maintenance should be prioritised to prevent facilities from falling into neglect. She also said under the current Planning Guidelines for Open Space, a play area of 0.2ha should be provided for every 300 to 1,000 residents. On whether unused playgrounds should be formally decommissioned and converted into green spaces or community areas, she suggested broadening the planning definition of “play area” to allow for more flexible, community-oriented uses. “Reallocating funds from underused playgrounds to greener, lower-maintenance spaces could be more sustainable, but only if such spaces genuinely encourage community engagement and social interaction.” She added that what matters most is not whether a space is a playground or a green area, but whether the community actually uses and enjoys it. “Green spaces are beneficial for well-being and public health, but if they are neglected or underused, they don’t help anyone,” she said.

PETALING JAYA: Once filled with laughter and the sounds of children having fun, many public playgrounds across cities now sit abandoned, prompting renewed calls to rethink how neglected spaces can be transformed into functional green areas for communities. Malaysian Institute of Architects president Adrianta Aziz said current guidelines should be reviewed, particularly in light of changing community needs and urban lifestyles. “Instead of removing abandoned playgrounds entirely, these sites can be reimagined as green fields, community spaces or multifunctional open areas that better reflect how residents use public spaces today. “From an architectural

only a short-term fix and that sustainable solutions depend on coordinated efforts across agencies. “Effective placemaking depends heavily on the involvement of end users, as communities themselves are best placed to identify what types of spaces are useful and meaningful to them. “As such, public education and engagement should accompany any review of standards, ensuring that green spaces are not only created but actively used and sustained.” Adrianta said a review of existing guidelines is necessary to revitalise abandoned public spaces into inclusive and

standpoint, concepts such as placemaking and adaptive reuse offer opportunities to transform underutilised or neglected spaces into meaningful public areas designed around people rather than structures,” he told theSun . Adrianta cited examples of adaptive reuse projects in which old or obsolete buildings have been successfully converted into vibrant community hubs, adding that similar principles could be applied to open spaces. He said such transformation requires close cooperation between professionals and local councils, along with more flexible standards, stressing that simply clearing abandoned spaces is

Noor Hashimah said it would not help anyone if green spaces that are meant to be beneficial for well-being and public health are neglected or underused. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

You can run, but you cannot hide: CID chief KUALA LUMPUR: Police have issued a stern warning to the mastermind and members of a criminal group known as Geng Kapten Praba , who are believed to have fled overseas. Bukit Aman Criminal with the Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves yesterday. He said police believe the remaining members of the group fled the country using illegal routes commonly referred to as “rat trails” to avoid detection. since September last year. Three suspects were arrested in Mumbai, India, last Sunday after failing in their attempt to enter the UK and were subsequently charged at the Sepang Sessions Court upon their arrival in the country on Wednesday.

enforcement actions, but we are here to be part of the community and to share for the good of our country.” Apart from food, police also distributed more than 1,000 goodie bags containing information on the National Scam Response Centre to raise public awareness of scam-related crimes. He also advised visitors attending Thaipusam activities to observe religious customs and regulations to ensure the event proceeds smoothly and safely. – Bernama

Kumar confirmed that those who escaped include the group’s leader, who is also the mastermind behind its robbery and shooting activities. Members of the gang, who are being sought under Op Jack Sparrow, are believed to have used India and Thailand as hideouts

Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar said efforts to track down the group are ongoing and those involved will not evade justice. “You can run, but you can never hide from us. We will get you,” he said when met at the Thaneer Panthal event held in conjunction

Meanwhile, Kumar said the event yesterday, which involved 88 police officers and personnel providing free food and drinks, was part of community policing initiatives that have been carried out for the past 38 years. “The police force is known for