Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) has re-introduced a newly rejuvenated Sungai Segget through the “Know the New Face of Sungai Segget” programme and the launching of the Johor Bahru City Centre Grant: Art, Heritage and Culture.
The joint-cooperation programme between IRDA, Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) and ThinkCity offers a sum of RM1mil to boost community development around Johor Bahru in an effort to rejuvenate the city.
IRDA CEO Dato’ Dr Badrul Hisham Kassim presented Sungai Segget’s recent new landscape that is enlivened with elements and components with Johor’s heritage as identity as the basis, noting that the initiative is to make Sungai Segget be more holistic to develop and be utilised for commercial, cultural and recreational purposes.
Also present were Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and Johor Baru mayor, Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman.
Dr Badrul added that the programme also complemented the rejuvenation initiative and upgrading of the Sungai Segget landscape which started in 2013 and was completed this year.
“Apart from efforts to rejuvenate the city, the grant is also meant for conserving and protecting the various heritage assets and culture in this city in order to retain the local identity in line with the aspirations of the state government and the local authorities.
“The approach taken for the programme is the disbursing of grants to the community that will ensure a comprehensive impact of the identified projects, while the involvement of various stakeholders is taken into consideration during the implementation process,” he said.
According to Dr Badrul there are three scopes of grants that can be applied for and used, including cultural content, space reactivation, and community programmes. The application period is already open and will close on the 25th of July, and the results will be published on the 6th of September.
Meanwhile, the Sungai Segget landscape is being upgraded in three phases, the third of which is projected to cost RM40 million.
Phase one featured the construction of a Centralised Sewage Treatment Plant, which cost RM123 million including site costs, while phase two required the construction of a Sewerage and Flood Mitigation System, which cost RM117 million.
“Once completed, the upgrading of the Sungai Segget landscape should be able to attract tourists and locals to the area.
Hamdan Majeed, Managing Director of Think City joining the press conference after the launch said, people interested in applying for the grants may check the link via https://thinkcity.com.my/downtownjb/ or visit Think City’s office at 27, Jalan Dhoby, Johor Bahru.
