Echoing the concerns expressed by fellow Federal Opposition lawmaker, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, on the high cost of the project, he also asked Prime Minister Najib Razak to explain why the project was necessary.

“Many people have asked why such a large amount of money needs to be spent on an urban park, especially when the government had cancelled overseas scholarships and cut allocations for public universities,” the DAP lawmaker said.

The Taman Tugu Project is estimated to cost RM650 million, 75 per cent of which will be paid by Khazanah Nasional.

Ong advised Khazanah as well as the Minister of Finance, who is also Najib, to explain the expenditure.

“They should explain within the context of significant budget cuts in other areas.”

Turning to the proposed project itself, Ong said it must be cost effective and for the project development and management to be transparent, with the eventual park and facilities around the area available for free to the public.

“Khazanah must reveal its plan on how Taman Tugu will be managed,” Ong said, adding “It should ensure continued free public access.”

He recommended Central Park in New York as an example.

Ong said he goes jogging regularly along the “double hill” route which goes past Tugu Negara in Lake Gardens/Taman Botani.

The Taman Tugu Project is not new. It was originally announced as one of the Entry Point Projects under the Greater Kuala Lumpur National Key Economic Areas (NKEAs) in 2010.

The project was suspended in August 2014 because of ongoing land issues.