PANTAI Telok Kemang in Port Dickson has undergone a significant transformation, as the Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) replaced the old blue canopies with colourful and visually appealing beach umbrellas.
The initiative, costing RM224,532, aims to enhance the beach’s aesthetics and attract more visitors.
Negri Sembilan local government development, housing and transport committee chairman J. Arul Kumar revealed that 33 designated sites for the new umbrellas have been prepared at Pantai Batu 2 and Batu 3 in Telok Kemang, covering 600m of the 1.2km beach stretch.
He said each site would have eight umbrellas, eight tables and 16 chairs, which operators will set up daily from 8am until late evening.
“They must pack and take these home afterward,” he said at the handover ceremony of beach umbrellas to the operators at Pantai Telok Kemang.
He said the beach umbrellas looked better, were more organised and unobtrusive, offering a view that evokes the vibes of Bali, Indonesia.
He hoped that with the initiative, the beach would have a fresh image.
He also noted that the maximum rental price for these umbrellas has been set at RM50, though operators are free to determine their rates.
The official handover ceremony for the new beach umbrellas was also attended by Negri Sembilan tourism, arts and culture committee chairman Nicole Tan Lee Koon and MPPD president Hasnor Abd Hamid.
Arul announced that MPPD issued a notice effective Nov 18 last year, discontinuing the use of blue canopies at Pantai Telok Kemang, Pantai Cermin and Pantai Tanjung Biru.
Operators are also prohibited from starting new businesses.
According to Arul, only operators at Pantai Telok Kemang are currently permitted to rent out the new beach umbrellas.
“This initiative will be monitored for six months. If operators fail to comply with the guidelines or they lack control, we will cancel the project and enforce a full ban,” Arul said, as reported by Bernama.
The initiative has been well-received by locals and tourists alike.
Long-time operator Mohd Fazdley Mohd Nasir, who has been in the family business for 30 years, praised the new umbrellas for being more attractive, which he believes will draw more visitors.
Meanwhile, visitor Mohd Fizran Rosli, 24, from Kuala Lumpur, said the transformation was impressive.
“It makes us feel as though we are at an overseas beach.”
