According to Mohammad Salezan Mohd Salleh, the Secretary of Johor Baru Petty Traders and Small Business Owners Association, the reopening of Pantai Lido should be accompanied by the development of public amenities and attractions to transform it into a tourist spot in Johor Baru. He mentioned that the beach used to be a popular recreational area, but it was closed to the public over a decade ago.
Mohammad Salezan hopes that Pantai Lido can once again become a place where families and friends can gather and spend their time together, lamenting the lack of gathering places amidst the many imposing buildings in the city. However, he also emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness on the beach even before any new amenities are introduced.
Apart from discussing Pantai Lido, Mohammad Salezan shared that the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB) is currently in the process of relocating the Bazaar Karat from Jalan Segget to a new location near the Johor Tourism Information Centre. This move is necessary as the current location can no longer accommodate the approximately 400 traders. Mohammad Salezan believes that this relocation is a step towards making Johor Baru an international city.
Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman, Jimmy Leong, proposed that Pantai Lido be converted into a parking space in order to alleviate congestion in the city. He suggested the implementation of shuttle services to transport people from the parking lots to their destinations. Currently, the shuttle service is only available at Danga Bay, but it can potentially be extended to other areas. Jimmy Leong emphasized the urgent need to reopen the beach and generate income for the local community.
Mayor Datuk Noorazam Osman affirmed that the reopening of Pantai Lido aligns with the state government’s initiative called Johor Bersih, which was introduced by Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The aim is to create a conducive, clean, and sustainable city, and the cooperation of all stakeholders is crucial in improving the amenities. As part of the preparations for the beach’s reopening, a stretch of hoarding has been dismantled, allowing for a better view of the Straits of Johor.
Noorazam also mentioned that MBJB is open to suggestions from developers regarding recreational activities that can be organized on the beach. They are considering short-term projects to attract tourists while ensuring cleanliness. Furthermore, the city council is in discussions with a developer to convert a portion of the beach into temporary parking bays, complete with a connecting bridge, pedestrian crossing, and appropriate lighting
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
