TRANSFORMING KUALA LUMPUR INTO A WORLD CLASS CITY

By Farizalina Ishak

KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is all out to
transform Kuala Lumpur's image into a world class city with its dwellers
enjoying good infrastructure and living standards at par with the other great
cities of the world.

The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur Ahmad Fuad Ismail noted that the
transformed Kuala Lumpur would be seen as the dynamic commercial and financial
hub of the nation with the whole city exuding the 'Malaysia Truly Asia'
identity.

At the same time the city will offer a comprehensive living concept making
it the perfect place to work, play and unwind.

It is estimated that there are at least 2.7 million people in Kuala Lumpur,
the number includes those who commute daily from outside to work in the city or
make a stopover.

Nonetheless, KLites will ponder whether this new image of Kuala Lumpur is
just another hogwash ideals of the town planners detached from the present
realities, especially when looking at the many woes faced by the city today.

But for Ahmad Fuad, he is optimistic that transforming Kuala Lumpur is not a
tall order. He believes the vision for the city can be achieved by keeping up
with the goals that have already been set.

GETTING TO WORK

During a special interview with Bernama here recently, Ahmad Fuad stated
that the transformation would also include more effective enforcement of the by-
laws and policies beginning from within DBKL.

A world class Kuala Lumpur has no room for either squatter colonies or
illegal car parks and this is where strict enforcement comes into play, he
pointed out.

Ahmad Fuad who was appointed as the Mayor on Dec 14, 2008, is going
all out to improve the city's administration by taking into account all public
views and problems in line with the government's stand that the people come
first.

He noted that efforts to green the city, deepen Gombak River (a river which
flows through Selangor and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia) and enhance
the surrounding landscape, and the proposed two retention ponds to alleviate
flash floods are among the priorities.

On traffic jams, he noted that DBKL is looking into the possibility of
introducing the "Park & Ride" concept for vehicle owners to reduce traffic
snarls at the Klang Valley.

THE PARK & RIDE CONCEPT

He said the system has been proven effective in several other nations and is
currently being studied by DBKL.

"Park & Ride basically calls for people to park their cars at any
nearby Light Rail Transit (LRT) station and use the LRT to proceed to their
respective destination.

"Each day, almost one million vehicles enter the nation's capital and
therefore traffic jams are unavoidable regardless of peak or non peak periods.
Therefore it is timely we introduce such new steps," he added.

However, Ahmad Fuad is aware of the many setbacks suffered by the members of
public in using public transportation modes like the LRT to get to work due to
the limited passenger capacity and rail networks.

CCTV TO MONITOR TRAFFIC CONGESTION

He added that DBKL is also utilising closed circuit cameras (CCTVs) to
monitor traffic congestion, through the Integrated Transport Information System
(Itis) in Bukit Jalil that provides information to road users so that they can
plan their routes during peak and off peak periods.

He noted that, until now DBKL has installed 1,100 CCTVs under the
Itis System with 66 of it being used to monitor traffic flow in the city.

"DBKL is also planning to increase from 85 to 96 the number of CCTVs
monitored by police in busy areas, shopping complexes and places where tourists
congregate," he said.

He pointed out there are 49 locations within the city under police CCTV
surveillance including in Brickfields and Cheras.

"DBKL finds that the CCTV helps in bringing down crime especially snatch
thefts in high risk areas.

BRINGING DOWN CRIME RATES

Ahmad Fuad explained that DBKL is always in communication with the police in
seeking alternatives to reduce crime.

"We always consider other options in reducing crime, crime blemishes the
nation's image," he said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Fuad and all members of DBKL welcome the appointment of
Senator Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin as the new Federal Territories
Minister.

"We welcome the appointment and hope he (Raja Nong) can continue with the
outlined agenda apart from embarking on the transformation sought by the city
dwellers."

He hoped that under the new leadership some of the long standing problems
like the one relating to solid waste disposal could be overcome.

A WORLD CLASS CITY

"DBKL spends RM140 million annually to enable Alam Flora Sdn Bhd (Alam
Flora) collect and dispose rubbish and solid wastes at the 252 licensed disposal
sites," he said.

Most of the hawkers discard waste into drains, which in turn causes
blockages and there are even some who cover the drains to widen their work area,
said Ahmad Fuad.

He also pointed out that the drainage system in Kuala Lumpur covers 5,300
kilometers and Alam Flora has began efforts to clean up the drains since more
than a month ago and the whole campaign is expected to be completed within two
months.

"The public too should cooperate to overcome this problem by settling their
monthly dues for rubbish and solid waste collection.

"There are some who choose to default on their payments and litter
everywhere, this is the mentality that we have to do away if we are to see Kuala
Lumpur emerge as a world class city," he added.

Apart from that, DBKL too has spent a considerable sum in improving the road
system around the capital city, introduce walking pavements and make the
facilities more disabled friendly.

-- BERNAMA