Intensify Efforts To Turn Putrajaya Into A Tourist Attraction - Dr Mahathir

PUTRAJAYA, June 12 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad wants Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) to intensify efforts to beautify Putrajaya to turn it into a tourist attraction. Dr Mahathir who mooted the idea to build Putrajaya said PPj president Aseh Che Mat has many ideas to beautify Putrajaya with various initiatives to attract more tourists. "Despite beautification efforts by the government, Putrajaya is like a beautiful lady who covers up her face, deserted after working hours. We want to make Persiaran Perdana like Champs Élysées Avenue in Paris but there are no shops along the streets. "We need coffee shops, souvenir shops and entertainment to enliven the atmosphere along Persiaran Perdana. Aseh has lots of ideas which when put into practice can turn Putrajaya into a big tourist attraction," he said after dinner in conjunction with the first Lake Cruise here Tuesday night. Meanwhile, Aseh said tourists can now go on a boat cruise around Putrajaya and enjoy the beautiful landscape after the deepening of Tasik Putrajaya was completed. The deepening of Tasik Putrajaya costing RM14 million (RM4.5 million) means that the boat cruise can now cover the entire 10.4 km in 45 minutes compared to 9.4 km previously. Since 2008, cruise could not cover the entire lake and the boat was forced to turn back to the jetty as some parts of the route were shallow, particularly in Precinct 18. Aseh said there are four Lake Cruise boats operating and will expand the service by having more boats if there is encouraging response. -BERNAMA