KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 — Phase 1 of the River of Life (ROL) project covering the river area around Masjid Jamek to Daya Bumi, here, is 93.7 per cent completed.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the implementation of the project, listed under the National Key Economic Area (NKEA) of Greater Kuala Lumpur-Klang Valley, was an effort to transform Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang into dynamic areas with high economic value.

"The main objective of ROL is to achieve a class two river water quality by 2020, boosting the economy and quality of life of the people.

"It is also aimed at developing government land around the project area to gain an expected return to the government of RM4 billion,” he said in reply to a question from Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) on the status of the project.

Tengku Adnan said the ROL project, which was implemented from 2011, had three components, namely, river cleansing, river beautification and land development. It is expected to be completed by 2020.

To a supplementary question from Tan on the use of foreign consultants’ services to complete the ROL project, he said it was based on the success of upgrading and giving a new lease of life to several rivers abroad, including in the United States.

However, he said, some projects like the Blue Pool in front of KL Masjid Jamek were implemented using the design-and-build concept involving locals and civil servants from the ministry who also provided ideas.

To a question from Datuk Rozman Isli (BN-Labuan) on factors that contributed to Kuala Lumpur’s ranking as among the best cities, Tengku Adnan said besides ensuring a beautiful environment, other initiatives undertaken included measures to reduce air pollution in the federal capital. — Bernama