Panorama @ Bukit Antarabangsa is a popular spot for people to enjoy a picnic while taking in views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI, KAMARUL ARIFFIN and CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
WITH nearly half its area being forest reserves, Ampang Jaya has massive tourism potential which the local government intends to capitalise on.
Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) is embarking on an ambitious plan to make it into a tourism hotspot over the next decade.
Its president Dr Ani Ahmad said they planned to boost the council’s non-tax revenue by drawing more tourists and visitors to Ampang Jaya.
While budget constraints are a hurdle, Ani is hopeful that a multi-phase rollout will allow for steady progress and successful completion of these tourism projects.
Ani: MPAJ is seeking state support to transform Ampang into a thriving tourism hub.
Several projects are already in the works while others are contingent on funding.
MPAJ wants them all completed within the next five to 10 years.
The council’s efforts align with preparations for Visit Selangor Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Both are expected to draw around eight million visitors to Selangor.
The state government, as noted by Selangor housing and culture chairman Borhan Aman Shah, is committed to leveraging the tourism potential of each district, emphasising their specialties.
Ani said MPAJ’s proposed projects had been presented to tourism and state authorities, to transform Ampang into a thriving tourism hub.
MPAJ is hoping to turn the Ampang lookout point at Bukit Ampang into a safer tourist spot with proper parking facilities.
Taking in city views
Popular lookout spots to take in views of Kuala Lumpur are already attractions in Ampang Jaya.
MPAJ is hoping to further develop these lookout points in Bukit Antarabangsa and Bukit Ampang into safer, well-maintained recreational areas to draw in even more visitors.
These sites will have amenities like viewing platforms, seating and parking facilities to enhance visitor experience.
Ani said that plans for Bukit Ampang included building a viewing deck, landmark sculpture and soft landscaping.
“It is already an attraction as visitors are known to come here to take in the view.
“There used to be illegal stalls operating at the location.
“We could not legalise them as it was not safe.
“We can, however, turn the spot into a safe viewing location and this way, people can still enjoy the views,” she said, adding that the estimated cost for the project is RM3mil.
An artist’s impression of a proposed viewing deck and other amenities to be built at Ampang lookout point.
The proposed site is a 1.82ha open space along Jalan Persiaran Saujana, located in the vicinity of the Hulu Langat forest reserve.
MPAJ, Ani said, is hoping to capitalise on the ecotourism benefits of the popular recreational area with the proposed project.
Another location that MPAJ has already started turning into a lookout point is Panorama @ Bukit Antarabangsa.
The site, which is where the December 2008 landslide happened, has been turned into a recreation area and is a go-to location for visitors to enjoy the sunset.
MPAJ is in the midst of preparing proper parking facilities to make it easier for visitors to access the site, along with pathways and seating areas to enhance the overall experience.
“We have allocated RM500,000 for the parking, drainage and other upgrades.
“We may have to charge a reasonable amount for parking to cover maintenance costs and ensure the continued upkeep of the facilities,” Ani said, adding that the council was proposing to have installations to draw photo enthusiasts.
Parking facilities and drainage upgrades are being carried out at Panorama @ Bukit Antarabangsa.
Popular murals
Colourfully painted walls continue to be a major draw for visitors, ranging from local art enthusiasts and photographers to tourists looking for unique and vibrant backgrounds for their photos.
In 2019, MPAJ spent about RM1mil to upgrade and paint several murals near Ampang Point in Taman Dato Ahmad Razali.
Phase One of the project, called the Senario Ampang lane, has 3D murals featuring vignettes of attractions as well as landmarks of the area.
Subsequent phases incorporated the 17 goals highlighted in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in pictorial format.
The area is now known as Uptown Lorong Ampang Mampan.
It was meant to revive the once dirty and dingy back lanes and make the area a more lively place for people to gather.
MPAJ wants back lanes at the Ampang Point commercial area to become gathering points.
MPAJ is hoping that these visually striking murals can serve as a focal point for community events and social media engagement, revitalising public spaces and boosting foot traffic in the area.
Besides the murals, retiling and repaving of walkways as well as drainage upgrading were also carried out at Jalan Mamanda 2 and Jalan Mamanda 7.
Ani said MPAJ was hoping a night bazaar would bring in more visitors to the area.
“This would also help develop and boost tourism, including small and medium-scale industries,” she said, adding this would help popularise murals painted on the walls of buildings around this commercial area.
She said that MPAJ was currently looking for organisers that would be able to run the bazaar.
Further upgrading works that have been planned for the area include road repaving, installing a roof over the bazaar site, and repainting of faded murals.
At an alley off Jalan Negara in Taman Melawati, the plan is to develop an art-centric destination which already houses an art gallery, stationery shops, cafes and more murals and street art.
“With the variety of businesses here we can develop it as an art tourism destination, which would be known as Jalan Negara Kita,” said Ani.
She said this could also serve as a location for mural artists, musicians and the community to gather, alongside hosting art exhibitions.
Promoting ecotourism
MPAJ is also seeking to strengthen its natural attractions such as the Kampung Kemensah waterfalls and Tasik Pandan Perdana.
Its Youth and Community Department director Khairilazhar Ismail said it was legalising campsite and homestay operators in Ampang Jaya.
Khairilazhar says MPAJ is legalising campsite and homestay operators.
This follows a move by the Selangor government to regulate all camping and glamping activities in the state following the Batang Kali landslide in 2022.
MPAJ previously said based on a rough estimate, there were some 20 operators of campsites and recreational sites within its jurisdiction.
“The council is also in the process of legalising chalets and sports recreation sites along Kampung Kemensah in Hulu Kelang.
“This will help it become a unique and safe place for visitors to enjoy nature and participate in outdoor activities.”
MPAJ plans to strengthen its natural attractions such as the Kampung Kemensah waterfalls in Hulu Kelang. — Filepic
Khairilazhar said one project nearing completion was the upgrading of Tasik Pandan Perdana, which cost about RM600,000.
This included building of toilets, gazebo and 3D signboard, redoing the interlocking pavement as well as other landscaping works.
“The recreation area is popular among anglers and we have hosted several fishing competitions here,” he said.
