KLANG, Sept 10 — Efforts to rehabilitate the Klang River under the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project are beginning to make a noticeable difference for traders around Pangkalan Batu, who say the river is now cleaner and has less odour than before.
D’Pangkalan trader Nuraini Mohd Asraff, 39, said the improvement had become increasingly noticeable, particularly since rubbish traps were installed, resulting in less waste floating on the river’s surface.
“There’s no denying that the river used to smell, but it is getting cleaner now and customers have never complained about the odour.
“When it rains, rubbish from other areas does make its way here, but overall, the situation is much better,” she told Media Selangor.
Nuraini, who is a Klang native, hopes the state government’s efforts to restore the Klang River’s image will continue until the waterway returns to the condition it was once known for.
“People used to be able to kayak and fish here without any worries. I would love to see that return,” she said.
Meanwhile, Zulkafli Yahya, 45, who owns trading business Mr Patin, chose Pangkalan Batu to set up shop because he was drawn to its tranquil riverside setting.
The Pahang native, who began operating his business in January, said the river’s improving condition had made the area more attractive.
“I knew about Sungai Klang’s problems from the media. People said it was dirty and smelly, but I didn’t expect the river to be this much better now. Running a business here is peaceful and enjoyable.
“If everyone plays their part and takes responsibility, I believe Sungai Klang can become as beautiful as Sungai Melaka,” he said.
For food trader Norhidayah Md Rosli, 29, who operates along Jalan Tepi Sungai, the river’s transformation has also had a positive impact, with more visitors and tourists passing through the area via the Pasar Jawa light rail transit (LRT) station.
She said the cleaner river meant she no longer felt embarrassed by the surroundings of her business premises.
“It used to smell because there was so much rubbish, but it is much better now and there is less waste.
“We welcome the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the river. But the public must also play their part by looking after it and not throwing rubbish indiscriminately,” she said.
Since 2018, the Selangor government has been working to rehabilitate the Klang River through the SMG initiative, which has reached 60 per cent completion and is expected to be completed ahead of its original schedule, around 2028.
The project covers nearly 88,000 acres and has been identified as an urban regeneration initiative.
Its planned developments include commercial, hospitality, tourism, residential and service industry components.
