“The upgrade will cost RM5mil and will involve lighting up the channel from the Straits of Malacca until the estuary of the river.”
Malacca River to be given facelift to attract more visitors
The Malacca River is to get a facelift to encourage tourism.
The upgrade will cost RM5mil and will involve lighting up the channel from the Straits of Malacca until the estuary of the river.
State Housing, Local Government and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ismail Othman said the landscape will also be beautified under the second package of the water passage rehabilitation programme.
“The project is expected to be completed by the end of next year and will brighten up the whole stretch of the river,” he said after taking a cruise along the river on Friday.
Ismail was joined by several government officials as well as representatives from Malacca Historic City Council (MBMB).
He also revealed that the landscaping will cover the area within the Custom, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex.
“We will also dismantle the two wooden jetties close to the CIQ complex for aesthetic purposes,” he said.
Ismail added another four unused concrete structured jetties along the river will be renovated and turned into food outlets.
He said the state government hoped the river deepening project would allow more vessels to enter tourism points.
“At the moment, work is mostly on an adhoc basis and this has prevented the river from becoming a hub for the entry of tourists.
“Currently, ferry services from Malacca and Dumai, Indonesia can only sail up the river during high tide.
“Feeder boats are needed to pick up passengers during low tide.
“We hope the project could be completed according to schedule to encourage more tourists who arrive via sea.”
