New plans for Segget River?

Johor Baru losing its appeal (The Star)

I first heard of the "re-opening" of Segget River a few weeks back from a friend who happened to have attended a briefing by IRDA on the JB city renewal plan. This horrible, stinky, rat-infested river (or I thought it was a monsoon drain) has been an eyesore for years, smack in the middle of the city. Some JB old-timers claimed that the river was once clean and clear. In fact, they could actually swim in it and during high tide fishes wade in. However, after decades of pollution, the river has ended up becoming nothing more than a big drain. No thanks to the hawkers dumping their garbage into it, the river became the symbol of JB aroma.

Instead of cleaning up, the city council decided to sweep things under the carpet (favorite Malaysian strategy). Few years back, they spent millions to cover up Segget River. So you don't smell the stink and the rats can have a home with shade. Thereafter, everyone seems to have forgotten the river exists. That is until the above news came out that IRDA intends to open up the "drain covers", clean up the river and promote boating and recreational activities along Segget River. Some sort of a Venice in JB. I hope they have a comprehensive long-term plan for this for the river is so dead it may take more than 10 years to clean up. Meanwhile, the aroma of JB will be back for us to reminisce the smell of the city before the Segget Cover-Up.

Segget in early years

Segget now (the drain is covered)