Buildings in Kuala Lumpur that were meant for public use and community activities as part of the River of Life (RoL) project are now in a poor state and underutilized. At least four structures and two public toilets along a footpath from Central Market to MidValley Megamall have fallen into disrepair and are used by vagrants and drug addicts for shelter. Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has stationed security guards at the locations to prevent further encroachment. However, the guards themselves are unsure of the purpose of these buildings.
The RoL project aims to develop 11 precincts along the Klang and Gombak rivers, supporting recreational activities such as walking, jogging, cycling, and picnicking. However, since its inception in 2017, there has been no designated ministry or agency to manage and maintain the RoL sites. Private firm appointments did not materialize, leading to neglect and disrepair of some assets.
In 2020, DBKL was given the responsibility of maintaining the project, and several million ringgit were allocated to contractors for repairs. However, DBKL has struggled to keep RoL assets in good order. One of the structures being guarded by four men is located at the Jalan Sultan Sulaiman traffic light junction. Although it appears new on the outside, the interior is already showing signs of wear and tear, with a leaking roof. Another structure further down the road looks like a shelter but is supposed to be an information center.
Visitors have reported safety concerns in these structures due to drug addicts and vagrants occupying them. The facilities are ill-maintained, with rubbish and cigarette butts scattered around. Guiding lights along the footpath are poorly designed and not functioning properly, making the area unsafe at night. One larger structure that has toilet facilities is off-limits to the public and has been converted into a storage area and cooking facility for security guards.
The RoL project, with an allocated budget of RM4.4 billion, consists of three stages: river cleaning, river beautification, and riverfront development. While the cleaning phase has been completed, the beautification and landscaping phases are still ongoing. The project was initially targeted to be completed in 2020, but it has been delayed to 2024.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall has acknowledged the state of the structures and stated that the project implementation and building maintenance department will be repairing them. The buildings were originally intended for public use and can be utilized for exhibitions, community programs, or even as a mini café.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
