Ketumbar Hill a.k.a Wild Boar Hill is a 300 meter elevation hill surrounded collectively by Bukit Segar/Hartamas, Taman Yulek and Ampang residences and commercial areas. It was an extension of the Bukit Apek/Bukit Saga Forest Reserve until of late when the S.U.K.E highway permanently divided this hill from the Greater Bukit Puteh consisting of both Bukit Apek and Bukit Saga. On June 5, 2022, Bukit Puteh and Bukit Saga were closed, until further notice, to facilitate a TNB high tension tower project. It has not been opened to date.

 

For almost 30 odd years, this smaller Ketumbar Hill, home to wild boars, mousedeers, different species of primates, flora & fauna offered a connect to the various communities living around when pleasantries were exchanged culminating into long lasting friendships. There is no room for race and religious bigotry here. Amazingly, people from as far as Kepong, Subang, Kajang and more, frequent this place. Some hikers travel by MRT from as far as Sungai Buloh (20 stations) during the weekends and public holidays. 

 

The open gym, an effort of many individuals who unselfishly volunteered to both contribute and set-up is always used by every hiker, who find this a gift they otherwise would not have, as commercial gyms are too costly. 

 

Likewise this hiking community has built a makeshift toilet and a tuckshop for snacks and drinks for the weary ones. Hope for the government to do this had long waned. 

Question! Why are the authorities quick to shut this hill down, when they cannot provide an alternative? 

Just before the lockdown (MCO), some individuals claiming to be lawyers representing developers placed notices stating that the property is private. At the same time, Ampang land officers some years back had torn down other rest shelters. 

 

SAVE KETUMBAR HILL FOR THE COMMUNITY.

 

Now, its Perhilitan’s turn to stake a claim on the land. On 13 May 2023, the Forestry Department (Perhilitan) arrived and posted notices that the structures have to be torn down.  

Furthermore, entry to this forest reserve without permit will be prohibited, the deadline being 26 May 2023. Something is not right here.

So who are the real stakeholders?

Isn’t the people's welfare central to this current administration led by PMX?

The summit proudly displays the Pakatan Harapan flags. 

To avoid lining up in the hospitals and clinics for health related issues, the olders folks (60s,70s,80s) frequent this hill from nearby homes on a regular basis. Today for many, addressing others on a first name basis is a norm. The country can benefit from this model by likewise building communities fostering friendships and a larger family as one nation. ‘It only takes a spark to get a fire going’ they say.

 

Selangor State Executive Councillor and Kajang State Assemblyman, Hee Loy Sian, disclosed in the news on February 10 this year that he intends to discuss the opening of Saga Hill, Apek Hill and Broga Hill in the Selangor State Assembly to allow people to have free access.

 

We, the hiking community of Ketumbar Hill, hereby petition YB                               to look into this matter to stop the closure of this hill which is the lifeline of the greater Cheras community especially the old folks, the B40 community, retirees and simply put, all Malaysians.

Every resident living around Ketumbar Hill, Apek Hill and Saga Hill should join in this petition to both, allow access for the health buffs, and retain these places as a permanent green lung and dust-trap.  Allowing development to encroach will simply remove this limited green buffer and contribute further to rising temperature.