KANGAR – Kuala Perlis and Padang Besar will become Perlis’ main development nodes in line with its plan to achieve a city-state status by 2030, its legislative assembly was told today.
Perlis Tourism Committee chairman Wan Badariah Wan Saad said various projects would continue to be carried out to increase the state’s income and provide spillover effects for its residents.
“The Kangar Municipal Council is currently working to encourage food-based industries, namely by upgrading food courts and related facilities next to Plaza Kuala Perlis, which has 13 food stalls.
“The cleanliness and hygiene campaign has been intensified to encourage food traders to improve their services so that the industry’s image will be elevated among locals and tourists,” she said in response to a question by Gan Ay Ling (Indera Kayangan-PKR).
Gan wanted to know about the state government’s plans to attract more tourists to Padang Besar and Kuala Perlis.
Wan Badariah said a cashless parking system would also be introduced in the state with the first phase to start next month.
“We also encourage the private sector to participate and organise carnivals and expositions to attract more visitors to Kuala Perlis and Padang Besar,” she said, adding that two projects were currently being implemented in the border town.
One of them was the development of the Padang Besar Plazaria Complex, which could accommodate 188 stalls and is expected to be completed in the middle of next year.
The other project is the Padang Besar Pavilion complex, involving an investment of RM30.3 million, which would be opened in the second quarter of next year, she added.
Wan Badariah added that an area in Pantai Bukit Putih, Kuala Perlis, would be developed by a private company involving the construction of a motel, as well as a seafood and recreation centre.
Apart from that, the state was also in the process of setting up the Perlis Authentic Centre to promote its products such as the Perlis kebaya, hadrah drum, capal kulit, batik, sour fish, belacan and harumanis cordial.
“These projects would be able to help improve public infrastructure as well as attract more visitors to Perlis,” she said. – Bernama, December 22, 2022
