KOTA KINABALU – Part of the Sembulan River beautification project, namely the riverside park component, will be revived, with plans for a night market to draw in the crowds again.
However, the original plans for the entire project, estimated to cost RM45 million, will not materialise due to a land issue involving a settlement on one side of the river, said the Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK).
DBKK director-general Junainah Abie told The Vibes that although the riverside park has been in a dilapidated state since its completion in 2014, KK city mayor Datuk Noorliza Alip had instructed DBKK to organise a night market there to pull in crowds to the spot, which could also help to stop vandalism in the area.
Junainah acknowledged the park’s neglect but said DBKK has plans to spruce up the park soon.
“The mayor has given her instruction to carry out the repairs as soon as possible before the night market comes in.
“We also feel sad seeing the area left to decay like that.
The location is strategic, with hotels and shops surrounding the vicinity, where tourists and hotel guests can just take a stroll along the park,” she said.
The Sembulan River Park is parcel one of the entire beautification project, and was completed in 2014 for RM23 million, according to DBKK.
The Vibes had previously reported that the riverside park is in a sorry state despite the millions spent to improve the area.
The second parcel of the beautification project is a 900m walkway, stretching along the Sembulan River, from the Sembulan Lama Bridge to the Kota Kinabalu Urban Transformation Centre.
This was constructed simultaneously with the first parcel and was completed in April 2014 at a cost of RM11.4 million.
The remaining RM10.6 million was supposed to fund the third parcel, which was to be another walking path on the opposite riverbank facing the riverside park or parcel one.
It was planned to run from the Sembulan Lama bridge to the Sabah Umno building, near the rivermouth.
Junainah said the funds for the remaining parcel are not held by DBKK but by the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority.
The third parcel cannot proceed due to difficulties in relocating the people at a settlement on that side of the river.
“The reason behind this is a land issue and squatter settlement,” Junainah said, acknowledging the project has been dormant for nine years. – The Vibes, July 29, 2023
