BY: HAFIZAN TAIB
KUALA LANGAT, JUL 1: The local community here is expected to benefit from the increased number of tourists when the seafood stalls are redeveloped and the Tanjung Sepat jetty is reconstructed.
Kuala Langat District Councillor Wong Kim Loon said the State Government approved the budget last September for construction of the jetty which collapsed in 2013, a move that will boost this tourist destination.
“The redevelopment in the area is expected to boost tourist arrivals to Tanjung Sepat in the long run. When the project is completed, visitors can relax and exercise at the area facing the sea.
“Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL) will also consider prioritising existing traders to conduct their businesses in the new food court that will be built later,” he said.
Wong was speaking at a media conference that was also attended by Tanjung Sepat Village Chief Tai Hoo Chong as well as Kuala Langat and Sepang Village Liaison Officer Lim Lip Suan.
Some misunderstandings on the matter had occurred earlier when certain uninvolved parties made inaccurate media statements and gave misleading information that confused local businessmen.
He added that the seafood restaurants were conducting their businesses on government reserve land. These restaurants were given Temporary Occupation of Land (TOL) status by the Kuala Langat District and Land Office (PTDKL), which had expired two years ago.
“Following the matter, business licenses on the government reserve land were cancelled due to the change in the land status and also to allow for the redevelopment project in the area.
“Claims that the land belong to the business owners are baseless,” he said.
Wong explained that the business owners can conduct their businesses on the proposed temporary site in front of the old site, but they need to apply for TOL from PDTKL.
He informed that the decision to redevelop the area was the outcome of a joint discussion with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, PTDKL, MDKL as well as the State Government to upgrade the area for it to be more organised and comfortable for the local community.
The redevelopment plan consists of building two food courts in a 4,800 square feet area with a bigger dining area, complete with other amenities.
“We hope that business owners will be patient during the reconstruction period while waiting for the project to be completed, which is expected to be at the end of January next year,” he said.
