SHAH ALAM: The sight of policemen and Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) enforcement officers saw a group of residents who were jogging and exercising at Taman Tasik Seksyen 7 fleeing the park, which is closed to public during the 14-day Movement Control Order (MCO) 3.0.
The authorities who inspected the park at 7am today found stubborn and defiant residents who continued with recreational activities as the first phase of the full lockdown entered its sixth day.
This was despite the presence of a banner put up by MBSA which read, "Movement Control Order 3.0 - All Public Parks Will Be Closed from June 1-14, 2021." at the main entrance to the park.
A resident who lives nearby and wanted to be known only as Aishah, 35, observed that residents were still visiting the park and carrying out their activities every morning and evening as usual despite the enforcement of MCO 3.0.
"Things are as usual, as if there is no MCO 3.0, because residents still go to the park in the morning and evening when the numbers get even bigger.
"This is unfair to residents who comply with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and sacrifice to stay home like us," she said.
Another resident, 58-year-old Ali Abdullah, expressed regret that many parents even brought babies under the age of two into the park yesterday evening.
"In the morning, serious joggers like me would strictly adhere to the SOPs and practice physical distancing. But as seen in the evening yesterday, there were many families bringing toddlers and children to ride their bicycles.
"For me personally, throughout this period, I choose not to enter the park and would only jog along the pedestrian lane. I hope MBSA will upgrade the lane outside the park to make it more comfortable for aged residents like me," he said.
MBSA corporate and public relations division chief Shahrin Ahmad said all public parks are closed throughout MCO 3.0.
The public are barred from entering for recreational activities to avoid a crowd from gathering.
Apart from Taman Tasik Seksyen 7, there are over 20 public parks which include Taman Tasik Shah Alam Seksyen 14, Central Park Setia Alam, Taman Wetland 1 & 2 Kota Kemuning and Taman Rekreasi Bukit Jelutong under MBSA's jurisdiction.