KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 (The Star)
THE first phase of the River of Life (ROL) project has transformed the confluence of Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak into a landmark waterfront in Kuala Lumpur.
Called Blue Pool (Kolam Biru), the waterfront enhances the focal point of the historic Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, the oldest mosque in the city, located in Jalan Tun Perak.
Equipped with a Dancing Symphony Fountain, Blue Corridor, fog and lighting effects, visitors can expect a stunning visual and sensory experience when visiting the place.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who launched the Blue Pool, said the ROL project was an Entry Point Project under the Economic Transformation Programme aimed at increasing the livability index of city folks.
“The project will bring great impact to Greater Klang Valley, in line with transforming the capital of Malaysia into a city on par with international standards.
“Aside from ROL, once the other projects such as the Tun Razak Exchange, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) second and third lines, and the Light Rail Transit third line are completed in five to six years, Kuala Lumpur will be great.
“Our rivers are our heritage so I hope enforcement officers taking care of the Blue Pool will carry out their duties and prevent people from throwing rubbish into the river,” he said at the launch held at the bridge in Leboh Pasar Besar, Kuala Lumpur.
Guests at the launch were treated to a musical performance of the Dancing Symphony Fountain.
Created as a tourism product, ROL’s aim is to clean and beautify eight rivers in Greater Klang Valley. Its overall progress stands at 72%.
The mega project comprised three major components – river cleaning, river beautification as well as commercialisation and tourism.
As of August 2017, 81% of the 110km total-river-stretch were cleaned and 49% beautification works was completed.
A pedestrian bridge, built to connect Masjid Jamek to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Dataran Merdeka, will cut travelling time by 50%.
Visitors to the area can touch the water at the cantilevered pond, while the Blue Corridor, the walkway beside Sungai Klang and Sungai Gombak, provides a surreal feeling with 1,551 nozzles fitted to create atmospheric fog effects.
“The project will boost tourism value and increase the value of buildings in the vicinity.
“This will be an iconic attraction for tourists,” said Najib.
Also present were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
source: http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/08/30/a-blue-waterfront-for-kl-launch-of-masjid-jamek-fountain-marks-completion-of-first-phase-of-rol-proj/