Take a closer look at River of Life project, Kian Ming tells Najib

Rather than admiring the view from afar, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ong Kian Ming has urged former premier Najib Abdul Razak to take a closer look at the progress of efforts to clean up several main rivers that flow through Kuala Lumpur.

"How he (Najib) wants to do it is up to him.

"I have done it several times but always on a kayak, not go swimming in the river," the Bangi MP told Malaysiakini when contacted today.

In an earlier tweet, Ong had challenged Najib to "get in" the Gombak and Klang rivers to get a personal feel on the actual progress of ongoing clean-up efforts.

His challenge was issued in response to Najib's Facebook post yesterday touching on various developments in Kuala Lumpur, and how the River of Life project launched by his BN administration is now a major attraction for city dwellers.

During his walkabout in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Najib reportedly made a stop at the confluence of Sungai Gombak and Sungai Klang – near Masjid Jamek – which also featured the Blue Pool project designed to visually transform the rivers into a stunning, sensory experience.

"When the project is completed, Insya Allah by 2020, if it has not been cancelled by the present government, it would be a national pride for all Malaysians," Najib was quoted as saying to about 100 supporters who joined him.

BN had launched the RM4.4 billion River of Life project in 2011 to improve water quality at eight main rivers in the Klang Valley for recreational purposes.

The River of Life is also a startup project under the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley city plan.

The Pakatan Harapan government had previously announced that the project will be continued, with a targeted completion date of late 2020.

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