The Eye looks set to stay by the lake in KL

Wednesday January 2, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: If Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor has his way, the Eye on Malaysia will be another icon of Kuala Lumpur, standing tall and proud along with the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and the KL Tower.

Realising how popular the tourist attraction by the Tasik Titiwangsa has become over the past year, the Tourism Minister plans to keep it there, with the help of City Hall.

“When we were planning to bring in the facility for Visit Malaysia Year 2007, I was told that the projected number of visitors was 300,000. However, by September, some one million people have visited the Eye on Malaysia.

“This shows visitors are attracted to it and it would be a good idea to have it as a permanent fixture for tourists. However, we will have to discuss with the City Hall as the site where the wheel stands belongs to the authority,” he said.

A new icon: The Eye of Malaysia at Tasik Titiwangsa, with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. By September, some one million people had visited the tourist attraction that was launched in January last year.

Speaking to reporters yesterday after presenting cash to students who excelled in their UPSR and PMR examinations, Tengku Adnan said several other matters needed to be sorted out, including the dispersal of traffic and basic facilities such as parking and toilets.

“We will also have to look into the concerns voiced by people living nearby. Their complaints are mostly about the traffic so we have to find a way to solve this.

“Having the Eye on Malaysia permanently will be good for the tourism industry. We hope to work out something so that it remains here,” he said, adding that the attraction would be available until August.

On another matter, Tengku Adnan said his ministry had directed the organisers of Malaysia International Space Adventure (Misa) to include more interactive features to the exhibition, adding that discussions were also being held with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry to invite Angkasawan Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to share his experience with visitors.

He said the number of visitors to the exhibition had yet to reach 5,000 daily, due mainly to the location and transport problems.

Currently, Misa received about 1,200 visitors every day, he said, adding that not many people were interested in an exhibition that was educational in nature.

“We are tying up with tour operators to include Misa as part of their visit to Putrajaya. We have also distributed 10,000 tickets to residents to encourage students and youngsters to learn more about space,” he said.

Source: The Star