‘Kolam Biru’ project launched

> Part of RM4.4 billion plan to transform Masjid Jamek area into prime commercial, recreation locations

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday announced that the River of Life (RoL) project is 80% completed, with full completion expected in 2020.

At the launch of the Kolam Biru project held near Masjid Jamek last night, he said the launch was a double celebration for Malaysia as our athletes at the SEA Games have won a total 111 gold medals.

“It is official that Malaysia will be the overall winner in all events, including swimming,” he said in his speech.

The project, also known as “Blue Pool”, is part of RoL’s initiative to transform the area at the convergence of the Klang and Gombak rivers into prime commercial locations and recreational area for local and international visitors.

There are three major components to the RM4.4 billion RoL project – cleaning, master planning and beautification, and development of the river.

Of the total, RM3.4 billion would be used to clean up the river while RM1 billion would go to landscaping.

The RoL project was launched in 2012 and headed by the government in collaboration with the private sector.

It is one of the government’s high impact initiatives to bring Malaysia to developed country status by 2020.

For the RoL project alone, it is estimated that by 2020 it will deliver affordable housing for more than 35,000 new residents, one million square metres of commercial space and over 27,000 new employment opportunities.

It will also raise public transportation usage within the master plan area from 15% to 60% and reduce traffic demand by 15% by 2020.

Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor is briefed by AECOM director of development and vicepresident for South East Asia, Scott Dunn, during the launch of the 'Kolam Biru' project last night.