BUKIT Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran has urged the Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man to treat Selangor fairly in the river trails initiative.
Rajiv said that his recent question in the Selangor state assembly has revealed that out of the total 10,000km of river trails in the works by the Environment and Water Ministry, only 7.55km of trails have been awarded to be built in Selangor in the last two years – a pittance in comparison to their annual target of 1,000km.
In Oct 12 last year, the Environment and Water Ministry told the Dewan Rakyat that it will carry out social engagements as it targets 10,000km river trails to be developed at selected riverbanks in the country by 2030 at the rate of 1,000km.
These trails will be built on riverbanks which is the land reserve next to the river that cannot be privately owned.
“The 10,000km of river trails is definitely a good move for the country. It needs to be implemented but it needs to be implemented fairly,” Rajiv commented, adding that the unfair treatment given to Selangor needs to end.
“The ministry has to keep in mind that the residents of Selangor are also citizens of this country and are very much a part of this ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ that the Government is trying to portray.”
Rajiv went on to note that the river trails are much needed and valued in Selangor especially in the Klang Valley due to its ability to serve as a form of recreation for a dense population of over eight million people.
“People should be able to enjoy walking, jogging and cycling along our rivers and what better bang for the buck than to build these river trails in Selangor for millions to enjoy.”
He said that the initiative would address the rampant illegal rubbish dumping on riverbanks as riverbanks filled with shrubs and overgrowth make it easier for unscrupulous individuals to dump illegal commercial and industrial waste.
“The initiative would also prevent individuals from illegally occupying the land to run businesses like scrap metal and the storage of contraband,” he added.
“The Federal Government has to be able to plan projects objectively without a political motivation in mind when delivering services and initiatives to the people and I strongly urge Tuan Ibrahim to treat Selangor fairly in this initiative.” – March 28, 2022
