THE promised 10,000km river trails in Selangor are nowhere to be seen despite work commencing two years ago, Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran said. 

Of the 10,000km river trails under the Ministry of Environment and Water, only 7.55km have been built. 

“This is a pittance in comparison to its annual target of 1,000km,” Rajiv said in a statement today. 

In January last year, the ministry’s secretary-general, Zaini Ujang, said the national trail programme will see the ministry collaborating with state governments to identify suitable river reserves to be developed as recreational areas with the construction of trails and river beautification projects. 

He said the programme started in 2020 and 42 trails have been built, covering about 210km, turning the riverbanks into recreational areas.

The ministry had targeted to build the 10,000km trails by 2030, at a rate of 1,000km a year.

“The river trails are much needed and valued in Selangor, especially in the Klang Valley, due to their ability to serve as a recreation facility for a dense population of over eight million people,” said Rajiv.

“People should be able to enjoy walking, jogging and cycling along our rivers, and what better ‘bang for the buck’ than to build these trails in Selangor where millions can enjoy them.”  

The trails will also help prevent people from dumping rubbish into rivers or squatting on theirs banks to run illegal businesses, he said. 

“The river trails are definitely a good move for the country. They must be implemented. But they need to be implemented fairly,” he said.

“The federal government must be able to plan projects objectively without a political motivation in mind when delivering services to the people. 

“I strongly urge the minister, Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, to treat Selangor fairly in this initiative.” – March 28, 2022.