OFFICIAL OPENING OF CANNING MADANI RECREATIONAL PARK AND LAUNCH OF MBI-KLK CSR PROGRAMME: A SYMBOL OF COOPERATION FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF IPOH CITY

IPOH, 27 JULY 2025 – The atmosphere at Taman Canning this morning was quite lively when Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming officiated the launch of the Canning MADANI Recreational Park (TRM), which is one of 14 locations involved in the development of the MADANI Recreational Parks in Ipoh City. 

The opening ceremony also witnessed the launch of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme between the Ipoh City Council (MBI) and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK), which was formalised via a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony by Ipoh Mayor Zamakhshari Hanipah and KLK Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian.

In 2024, MBI received an allocation of RM5.4 million from the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) through the Local Government Department, to develop 14 MADANI Recreational Parks (TRM) in identified areas around Ipoh. Each location received an allocation of RM450,000.00, with the project fully completed by July 2025.

Among the locations involved are:

1.TRM Canning Garden (Canning),
2.TRM Bandar Baru Putra (Hulu Kinta),
3.TRM Westpool Park (Kepayang),
4.TRM Pengkalan Barat (Tebing Tinggi),
5.TRM First Garden (Jelapang),
6.TRM SPPK (Pasir Pinji),
7.TRM Kledang (Menglembu),
8.TRM Tasek Jaya (Bercham),
9.TRM Desa Rishah (Buntong)
10.TRM Chepor (Manjoi),
11.TRM Rapat Setia (Simpang Pulai),
12.TRM Kampung Sungai Rokam (Sungai Rapat),
13.TRM Woodland Park 1 (Tambun),
14 TRM Woodland Park 2 (Tambun).

Through this MoU, KLK will assume responsibility for maintaining seven (7) selected TRM locations for a period of two (2) years. The parks involved are:

1. TRM Woodland Park 1, Tambun,
2. TRM Woodland Park 2, Tambun,
3. TRM Canning Garden,
4. TRM Bandar Baru Putra,
5. TRM Westpool Park,
6. TRM Pengkalan Barat,
7. TRM First Garden.

The maintenance works include grass cutting and area cleaning to ensure the park’s function as a community recreational space is always preserved.

According to Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian, "The MADANI Park Adoption Programme is part of KLK's CSR initiative that emphasises environmental sustainability and the interests of the local community. Notably, the maintenance works also involve the participation of NGOs and drug rehabilitation centres, in an effort to provide job opportunities and empower communities that are often marginalised."

Hopefully, this collaboration between MBI and KLK can serve as a model for other private companies in Perak to also participate in shouldering social responsibilities in preserving public parks. This step is also in line with the Perak Sejahtera 2030 aspirations, which emphasise inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

Such partnerships not only ease the maintenance burden on local authorities but also symbolise a smart collaboration between the public and private sectors for the benefit of the people and the environment.

The event, which was graced by the presence of Canning Assemblymen and Perak State Assembly Deputy Speaker Jenny Choy Tsi Jen, Ipoh Timur Member of Parliament Howard Lee Chuan How, Perak State Assemblymen, MBI Councillors, department heads, community representatives, NGOs and Ipoh residents, witnessed another proactive step towards making Ipoh a Regenerative City, based on the MADANI concept of sustainability, prosperity and inclusivity for all.