By Aida Aziz
IPOH: Repair works at the Kinta Riverwalk area here have been and are being carried out by the Ipoh City Council (MBI), including improvements to previously dim signage.
According to the Perak Housing and Local Government Committee Chairman, Sandrea Ng Shy Ching, the authorities will also ensure that recurring issues raised by traders and visitors, namely lights that frequently malfunction are given due attention.
She said that to ensure the issue does not recur, MBI will conduct regular checks and monitoring of the wiring and lighting systems around Kinta Riverwalk.
This is to guarantee the safety and comfort of visitors.
“Referring to reports published by Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic regarding the condition around the Kinta Riverwalk area, the state government wishes to inform that follow-up repair and improvement actions have been and are being implemented.
“Among the actions already taken by MBI are repairs to the Kinta Riverwalk/Kinta Riverfront signage.
“The lighting system has been restored by repairing non-functioning lights around the affected areas.
“The issue of lights not turning on was caused by heavy rain, which led to electrical supply disruptions (tripping) in the lighting system in the area.
“Immediate corrective action was taken to ensure the lighting system returned to normal operation,” she said in a statement early this morning.
She added that regarding vacant premises, interview sessions to fill five remaining vacant units were held on 18 December.
A total of four applicants attended and gave presentations.
“Kinta Riverwalk has a total of 18 commercial units—15 units on the upper level and three below.
“The decision on tenant selection will be finalised through an Interview Verification Coordination Meeting expected to take place on 5 January.
“Letters of Offer for Tenancy will be issued to successful applicants after that meeting,” she said.
Meanwhile, she said MBI has received an allocation under the Tourism Facilities Recovery, Conservation, Renovation and Upgrading Programme (PPUN) from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) amounting to RM200,000.
This is for additional lighting on two existing pedestrian bridge structures at Kinta Riverwalk.
An allocation under BP1 from the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) amounting to RM1 million has also been approved for the installation of decorative lighting—RM500,000 along Jalan Sultan Iskandar and RM500,000 along Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab.
“The state government records its highest appreciation for the concern shown by the public and the media, and remains committed to ensuring that public facilities at Kinta Riverwalk are always in good, safe, and comfortable condition for everyone’s use, in line with Visit Malaysia Year 2026,” she said.
Previously, the media reported that conditions at the Kinta Riverwalk tourist location along the banks of the Kinta River were dull, dark, and did not appear to be an attractive destination, despite its strategic location in the city centre.
The problem was said to have persisted for quite some time, along with complaints from visitors and traders who claimed the area was very dark and lacked adequate lighting for public safety, in addition to issues of maintenance not being carried out regularly.
