Lorong Seni Seremban, Negeri Sembilan's newest tourist attraction

SEREMBAN, Nov 6 -- Apart from several tourist attractions in Port Dickson district, visitors to Negeri Sembilan can now enjoy a new attraction in the neighboring district of Seremban, at Lorong Seni Seremban.

With the concept "Returning the Street to the Public", the 250-metre-long Lorong Seni Seremban, which stretches from Jalan Dato Sheikh Ahmad to Benteng Walk, is home to over 30 creative and attractive murals, and offers visitors a good location for photography too.

Seremban City Council (MBS) mayor, Datuk Masri Razali, said that the murals are of various genres, as well as heritage paintings by six local artists, which commenced on Aug 20 and are expected to be completed on Nov 26.

“During this period too, we are also looking into street lights and decorative lights (in the area), and public toilets at the Negeri Sembilan Islamic Religious Council bazaar for the convenience of visitors.

“Besides, we want to convey a message to visitors, through the murals on the walls along the lane, to oppose the stigma attached to back alleys and graffiti art,” he told reporters after the mural launching ceremony at Lorong Seni Seremban, today.

He said that the state government had approved an allocation of RM500,000 for the project, as well as the Perpatih bazaar as a tourist information centre. MBS would also apply to the Malaysia Book of Records to list it as the longest artist lane in the country.

Masri said that, in an effort to boost the economy in the area, business owners would have the opportunity to open stalls behind their premises by conducting sales, entertainment and leisure activities, especially at night, as the area would be illuminated with decorative lights.

The work to upgrade the drainage system and roads in Lorong Seni Seremban was approved by the Malaysian Road Records Information System (MARRIS), with an allocation of RM500,000, besides appointing a consultant to study the pedestrian situation in Seremban, involving six main routes including Jalan Dato Bandar Tunggal, Jalan Yam Tuan and Jalan Tuanku Munawir.

“The study aims to implement the safe city concept, apart from applying the walkable city concept as well as introducing the tourism-friendly city concept which makes it easier for tourists to explore the uniqueness of Seremban city,” he said.

-- BERNAMA