Residents kick up a stink over 'mini-zoo' owned by 'towkay' linked to Selangor MB

Meena Chi Chelliah has lived in Taman Selayang Indah for over 40 years and was one of the first to buy a home in the neighbourhood. 

Lately, though, the senior citizen has been plagued by a "mini-zoo" set up in an area originally used as a playground. 

"During the Covid-19 pandemic, we didn't use the park," she said. 

"All of a sudden, it was altered by someone even though it's actually a public space." 

As an original resident, Meena Chi has a housing plan which clearly states the status of the park as public property. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, though, she said the individual in question seized the opportunity to modify the playground when the pandemic hit. 

The area in question, located in the middle of Taman Selayang Indah, is now fenced up and filled with a variety of plants and animals. 

A canteen has also been constructed, which the residents blame for clogging up the drains with food waste. 

'Crazy idea'

The development which residents describe as a "crazy idea" is said to belong to Ho Ah Chai, the founder of Sri Ternak Group which operates Rosyam Mart, a supermarket chain run together with actor Rosyam Nor.

Ho is also said to have ties with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, who was videoed visiting the home of his son Raymond in Taman Melati, Selangor, during Chinese New Year in 2019.

Amirudin was also seen with Ho at a yee sang tossing ceremony. 

Meena Chi said the residents had complained to Ho but received no response. 

Another resident, Liew Li Lih, said complaints had also been made to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) and the Selangor Land and Mines Office (PTG), with disheartening responses from both. 

"The Selangor PTG said in a letter that the park was leased to the individual. 

"But should the lease be considered when it is a playground in a residential area?" she said. 

She also asked why the PTG did not terminate the lease given that animal husbandry is against the rules and out of sync with the purpose of the lease itself. 

MPS meanwhile said in a letter dated July 6 that there was no pollution ongoing in the livestock area. 

Another resident however said that both noise and odour pollution had continued despite MPS taking away some of the animals after receiving complaints. 

Residents also complained of snakes which they said had entered their homes many times, attracted by the animals in the enclosure. 

Li Lih's father Liew Hon Choy, who also lives in the neighbourhood, said the state government should take responsibility for their problem, especially since the individual in question had ties with the menteri besar. 

"I don't want to blame anyone," he said. "How can the state government and menteri besar lease out this park?

"They used to talk about reforms – what kind of reforms are these?"

Ho, who was in the area during MalaysiaNow's visit, said he had cultivated the space for 10 years now as a hobby.

"The government people helped me get a lease," he said in the aftermath of a heated argument with Hon Choy. 

"They are the ones who assisted me." 

When asked, he also denied any links with Amirudin.