PUTRAJAYA NOV.17: Malaysia Livability Index will be introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) through PLANMalaysia and it will be the high impact benchmark for the local authorities to ensure the town planning will be structured following all the criteria under the Fourth National Physical Plan (RFN4).
Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, globally the livability becomes an important instrument to attract investments besides making the environment investors friendly.
Ismail added, this includes the question of last-mile connectivity, access to the internet, access to the public facilities and other factors that have been considered where the people will be the prime beneficiaries of the facilities offered.
“One important aspect in the national development is about planning. If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. That is why planning is very important especially involving the national physical development. It has to be implemented strategically and holistic in all aspects and involving the active roles played by various stakeholders,” Ismail said in his speech here today.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the 100 Years Town Planner in Malaysia Celebration in conjunction with World Town Planning Day 2021 Celebration held here today. Present at the function was Minister of Housing and Local Government, Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
At the event, Prime Minister Ismail has awarded the Malaysian Town Planner Figure to Datuk Seri Paduka TPr Maimunah Md. Shariff for her recognition in “Malaysia Book of Records” as the First Asian Lady to be appointed as the United Nations Human Settlement Programme Executive Director (UN Habitat) in 2018.
Ismail added, the Town Planner profession in Malaysia has reached 100 years on 18th January. This profession is very significant to the country to enable the national development is implemented inclusively and strategically.
“With the 100 years, this profession has its own professional act that is Town Planner Act 1995 (538 Act) and Town Planning and Rural 1976 (172 Act) that has been applied in all states in Peninsular Malaysia.
“In line with Ninth Schedule that places the rural and urban planning in the Joint-List, the Federal Department has specifically been formed that is Town and Rural Planning Department or currently known as PLANMalaysia.
“With the Town Planning, various inclusive planning have been implemented to guarantee no group is left behind and this is in line with the objective and Malaysian Family concept,” Ismail said.
The Prime Minister also emphasized that RFN4 is being structured with three Main Development Basis, 11 Strategic Direction nd 39 Implementation Actions to ensure Malaysia is able to be a prosperous nation and resilient economically, good environment and socially balanced for the prosperity of Malaysian Family.
“It also translates the national commitmment at the global level such as New Urban Agenda (NUA) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and play the role as a development facilitator instrument between the Federal Government and State Government,” Ismail said. –Malaysia World News
