Dataran Labuan gets stunning facelift

LABUAN: Dataran Labuan will become an important tourist attraction in this duty-free-island, following the completion of the RM2.3 million infrastructure upgrading project at one of Labuan’s oldest recreational parks.
Labuan Corporation (LC) has taken up the beautification works at the park since 2021 to make it a popular tourist spot.
Dataran Labuan is  known as a hosting ground for parades, national events of Federal Territory Day closing ceremony, and sporting activities, including New Year and National Day celebrations. 
This public park features a landscaped garden with fountains, benches and a raised platform at its centre hoisting the Malaysian flag along with colours of its states and federal territories.
Behind the flagpoles, a monument consisting of four pillars around a stone slab depicting Labuan can be found, and stretching out from the stage is a large grassy field, bordered by a walk lined with trees and a small stadium terrace.
LC chief executive officer Rithuan Ismail said it has developed the place as a public park that is incorporated with colourful decorative lightings.
“The upgrading of infrastructure project that transform the Dataran Labuan into an attractive public park has completed.
“The project brings the old buildings and structures to life through decorative lights, and integrated them with water fountains, and green cover seamlessly of the field,” he told Bernama today.
Over the years, Dataran Labuan lost its sheen and glory as there weren’t adequate attractive recreational facilities, it was dark, and previously families used to plan breaking-of-fast gatherings, but such gatherings are hardly seen these days, he said.
“It is time for some changes in the public park, we must keep up with time and make efforts to transform it into an attractive and friendly public park,” Rithuan said.
— BERNAMA