“I understand that this project was not cancelled by the government,” Najib said during a walkabout today at Medan Pasar, accompanied by scores of supporters.

“When the project is completed in 2020, it will boost property prices around the RoL area and create economic opportunities for the people,” he said.

He said he hoped to see Kuala Lumpur listed among the top 20 livable cities in the world.

Najib also said he had read positive reviews by tourists on the project.

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad had said the project would proceed until 2020, as over RM4 billion had been allocated for it.

A large portion of the funds was being used to clean the rivers, and the remainder for landscaping.

“I will not say whether the programme is a failure or a success now because we have not reached the deadline.

“We will carry on with the project because we want to upgrade our rivers here so they can be tourist attractions like the River Thames in London,” he said.