Kenyir Lake gets additional ‘makeover’

KUALA TERENGGANU: The state government has acquired 55 water scooters to be placed at Kenyir Lake in a move to turn it into a top holiday destination. The largest man-made lake in South-East Asia covers 260 sq km and is home to exotic freshwater fishes. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the water scooters were expected to be operational by early next year. “This is the first stage. We also have a consultant from Bangkok who has shown interest to build a theme park at a 90ha site. This would be first of its kind in the country once it is completed,” he told The Staryesterday.

“The state government is reviewing all the proposals. We will decide based on the economic impact that can further boost the development of Kenyir,” he said. He added that the site had been largely neglected for three decades, which was why the state government decided to fully utilise its potential in tourism. In September, Kenyir Lake – the gateway to Taman Negara – was accorded duty-free zone status following plans to turn it into a shopping paradise. The state government has also begun initiatives to transform the lake into a top tourist destination by 2012. It had earlier announced an initial fund of RM100mil for the “makeover” of the site.

Among others, plans are afoot to build luxury hotels and chalets, an orchid garden, a fruit orchard as well as bird and butterfly parks. Ahmad said the state government would ensure that the environment would not be jeopardised in the redeveloping of Kenyir Lake.

-thestar online.