DBKL’s car-free initiative is a bold move but won’t be easy

AS organising committee chairman for Kuala Lumpur Extravaganza, allow me to give my views on the “Go Green Car-Free Morning” initiative.

Firstly, the initiative should come as a pleasant surprise for everyone, especially city folk, as it gives them the opportunity to do their bit for Mother Nature.

In view of the daily pollution, the initiative by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will free parts of the city from carbon emission and noise pollution for only two hours in a month. Is this small effort to balance the damage done to the environment too much of an inconvenience?

It had been reported that “many feel that it is an ill-thought-out plan”. We ask that these people be fair to our future generations and be more conscious of the environment.

We want them to show that they care for the well-being of their children and their children’s children.

The car-free day, though a bold step to take, is not an easy task. But we must start somewhere and the people’s support is needed.

For the inaugural event on Jan 5, the roads mentioned will be closed in stages.

The route has been planned so as not to disrupt the livelihood of city dwellers and businesses, including the convenience of hotel guests.

The first lap of the car-free morning will cover Jalan Raja Laut, starting from Menara 1 DBKL to Jalan Sultan Ismail followed by Jalan Ampang, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Pinang, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Imbi, Jalan Sultan Ismail and straight down to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun Perak and back into Jalan Raja Laut.

This event will start at 7.30am and end about 8am, after which all the above roads, except Jalan Raja Laut and Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rah-man, will be open to the public.

The Car-Free Morning Criterium loop, which will be a full closure, will cover Jalan Raja Laut from the junction of Jalan Parlimen into Jalan Semarang followed by Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Tun Perak and back into Jalan Raja Laut. The start and finish line is opposite Menara DBKL 1.

These roads will be closed from 7.30am to 9.30am.

By the time shops and malls open for business, these roads will be open.

It is essential that hotels, businesses and condominium managements issue circulars to their guests and tenants to properly notify them of the closures.

We have applied to DBKL to also put up signboards notifying the public of the temporary road closure at the affected areas and bunting along the route should provide sufficient notice of the event (subject to the availability of sponsors for the signboards and bunting).

We have also appealed to the media to make repeated public announcements.

NAIM MOHAMAD

KL Extravaganza