Site Visit to IWRM Zone 8: Assessing River Widening and Deepening Progress
Our team recently conducted a site visit to IWRM Zone 8, where Landasan Lumayan Sdn. Bhd. (LLSB), the master developer of the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) Economic Development Zone, is leading the ongoing river widening and deepening works along Sungai Klang. These works form part of a broader transformation under SMG, which is not only about improving waterway connectivity but also laying the groundwork for sustainable economic growth and environmental recovery.
As part of this effort, LLSB has appointed Planters International Berhad (Planters) to lead the conservation and restoration components — ensuring that ecological recovery progresses hand-in-hand with engineering interventions.
Progress on River Engineering Works
The site inspection confirmed that works are progressing on schedule, with widening and deepening activities making strong headway. The slopes along the riverbanks have been hydroseeded, and we observed encouraging growth of healthy green grass that is now stabilizing the embankments. These bioengineering measures play a vital role in reducing erosion and improving slope resilience.
The improved water conditions were also evident. We saw fishes leaping from the surface, a hopeful sign that water quality is on the mend and aquatic life is slowly returning.
Hidden Legacy: Decades of Waste Beneath the River
Yet, the visit also revealed a sobering truth. During dredging, tonnes of pollutants and waste were hauled out from depths reaching 3 meters below the surface — and dredging has not yet reached the true riverbed. This waste, accumulated since the last major dredging works in the 1980s, underscores the deep-rooted challenge Sungai Klang still faces.
Clearing these layers of legacy pollution is a necessary first step before long-term restoration can fully take hold.
Building Beyond Engineering: The Coastal Oasis Model
The site assessment is a critical stage in planning for conservation measures that will follow immediately after the deepening and widening works. This is where the Coastal Oasis initiatives come in — a holistic framework that integrates critical infrastructure works with continuous conservation measures.
Through this model, the river’s recovery will not end with dredging. Instead, it will transition into long-term ecological programs including habitat restoration, biodiversity recovery, waste-to-value solutions and community engagement. By aligning with the broader ZPE SMG, these initiatives ensure that Sungai Klang’s revival also supports sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience and future-proofed urban growth.
Unlocking Riverbank Potential for Communities
Another key element highlighted during the site visit is the potential of the riverbanks to be transformed into vibrant public spaces. Plans are underway to turn selected stretches into areas for community programmes, recreational activities, and cultural events, ensuring that local residents benefit directly from the river’s revival. These riverbank developments can also stimulate socioeconomic activities such as eco-tourism, riverfront markets, cycling and walking trails and youth engagement programmes — creating shared spaces that connect people to the river while generating new opportunities for the surrounding communities.
A Shared Long-Term Commitment
The progress we saw — greener slopes and fish breaking the surface — shows that Sungai Klang is capable of healing. At the same time, the dredged piles of waste remind us how much further there is to go.
Together with Landasan Lumayan Sdn. Bhd., under the SMG economic development zone, we are committed to pairing engineering progress with continuous conservation. Through the Coastal Oasis initiatives, we aim not only to restore Sungai Klang, but to establish a living model of integrated infrastructure and environmental stewardship — one that will endure for years to come.
