Try Harder

Most great cities have a river running through it. Alor Star have the smallish monsoon drain look-alike Sg.Raja running through the city and two larger rivers running beside it, the Sg.Anak Bukit and Sg.Kedah. So far the city have not capitalise on the existence of these rivers in making the city a more desirable place to live, but some effort to beautify the river banks can be seen in several places which is commendable. Near the new museum beside the Sg.Anak Bukit, the river bank have been rebuilt and looks better. About 500m stretch of the river bank has been built up with pavement, handrail and a small jetty where one can get on and off boats, and booths for traders to sell whatever. But it looks like the citizens of this city have largely ignored this development. The booths are not taken up. The only public phone available is not functioning. No joggers, walkers use the pavement, perhaps this is too early in the morning (it's deserted at 7.45am Saturday) or more likely the built-up part of the river bank is too short. The place is unkempt with leaves and polystyrene food packaging on the pavement, it's the old story of building but not able to maintain. There are no rubbish floating on the water though, which is good considering it is the rainy season and it has been raining almost everyday, but the water itself is turbid dark yellowish-brownish. This place is about 10km from the sea so here all the debris and run-off from many kilometers upstream would be visible. It does not look like the water is going to be pristine clear anytime soon, or even in the next few years considering the development that are going on in the river catchments. I would give it maybe 20 years before water around here is clear. I hope it won't get worse before it gets better. Try harder Alor Star.