Four giant Federal Territory flags cover the facade of Menara Seri Wilayah, where the Federal Territories Department is located.
Scaled-down Federal Territory Day celebrations this year aim to spark spirit of goodwill and integration
ALTHOUGH the Federal Territories no longer have a ministry, the restructured Federal Territories Department remains committed to ensuring the progress and well-being of its residents.
Its director-general Datuk Rosida Jaafar, in giving the assurance, said as an agency under the Prime Minister’s Department, all matters pertaining to Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan would now come directly under the purview of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Rosida, who was secretary-general in the former Federal Territories ministry, said the department would continue leading the three federal territories towards sustainable physical, economic, social and environmental development.
This would be carried out through inclusive strategic cooperation in ensuring the progress and well-being of the city dwellers, she added.
In conjunction with Federal Territory Day today, the department has outlined its functions, plans for the month-long celebration as well as its vision for Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
Rosida: We want to build and nurture a sense of love and belonging among the people for the city they live in.
Through the department’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025, Rosida, in a statement, said 78 programmes and activities under eight core focal areas had been outlined.
The eight areas are cleanliness, public safety, efficient transport system, sustainable socio-economy, green environment, inclusive community, sustainable land use planning and management as well as governance and organisational capacity.
The department’s vision and mission, said Rosida, was to be progressive and prosperous, and they would continue to build upon the work of the ministry.
Policy reviews
Without giving details, Rosida said several legacy policies of the ministry would be reviewed, namely on affordable housing, maintenance fund, redevelopment of Kuala Lumpur, young entrepreneurs initiative, free trade zone and biodegradability programmes.
The department, she said, would also prioritise strengthening the social safety net for federal territories’ residents.
“Some of the initiatives that we will push for include expanding the five My@Wilayah programmes — MyGrocer/ MyFood/ MyMedic/ MySchoolBus/ MyJob — and ‘Jualan Rakyat’, while increasing efforts to solve homelessness, eradicate hardcore poverty and provide free public transportation.
“The department will also monitor the Federal Territories Residents Representative Council and State Development Action Council, as well as matters involving sports, land, border and water source management,” she said.
The Labuan Port is one of the landmarks in Labuan.
Rosida also listed out other areas under the department’s jurisdiction, namely disaster management, which included mobilisation of the state and district disaster committee, chairing the state security committee and facilitating flood and landslide mitigation plans.
“Other responsibilities are managing the Federal Territory Day celebration including the conferring of awards, honours and medals.
“We are also in charge of implementing development projects related to River of Life, smart city, safe city, green city, Kampung Baru, Labuan Bridge and Putrajaya rail, among others,” she added.
Over and above these duties, the Federal Territories Department will function similar to a local authority.
Rosida said it would look at increasing public and recreational parks, facilitate carbon-free and climate change initiatives as well as managing solid waste, general cleaning and urban farming.
“We will also work on the preparation of the drafts for the structure and local plans for Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan,” she elaborated.
FT for Everyone
Federal Territory Day is to commemorate the declaration of Kuala Lumpur (Feb 1, 1974), Labuan (April 16, 1984) and Putrajaya (Feb 1, 2001) as federal territories.
This year marks the 19th anniversary since the first celebration in 2004; and the 49th anniversary of the establishment of the federal territories.
To mark the anniversary, a host of curated events and activities are being held in the three cities throughout the month.
Rosida said the theme, “Wilayah Persekutuan Untuk Semua” (“Federal Territories For Everyone”) was in line with the department’s aspiration to make the three cities reflect a community that is united, understanding and has a sense of belonging.
She wanted the theme to symbolise togetherness regardless of race and religion, and for the three cities to be the centre of a thriving national economy.
“The theme is in line with the national goal of the Madani Malaysia concept, which emphasises inclusion and equality for all.
“I believe the theme will be able to stimulate a sense of belonging among the people and for them to work together with us in developing sustainable and liveable metropolitan cities,” she said.
In line with the Prime Minister’s call to avoid extravagant events, this year’s celebration will be a simple affair with focus on the welfare of the poor.
“Our objective is to spark a spirit of goodwill and integration between the multiracial communities.
“Among other things, we want to build and nurture a sense of love and belonging among the people for the city they live in; encourage a helpful attitude through involvement in community programmes; and show appreciation for those who have contributed positively to the well-being of others and the development of their surroundings,” Rosida added.
Mass gotong-royong
The celebration kicked off on Jan 15 with the Raise the Flag campaign, with 63,656 Federal Territory flags displayed in various locations in Kuala Lumpur (40,250), Putrajaya (13,866) and Labuan (9,540).
“One of the main events this year will be ‘Mucang-Mucang Se Wilayah’, a gotong-royong activity that will be held simultaneously in all 13 constituencies on Feb 18 at 7.30am.
“This programme will see people of all races and religions coming together for a shared purpose, which is to create a liveable, clean, healthy and safe city for all,” said Rosida.
“A conducive environment that is free from diseases is a key aspect of a world-class city.
“Local communities will be roped in to clean up flood hotspots near residential areas, while the local authorities will carry out fogging activities as a dengue prevention measure,” she said.
The MyGrocer@Wilayah programme will be held twice a month at 39 locations in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, offering 5% to 20% discounts on food compared to the market rate.
In helping the poor, she said the department looked into ways to help vulnerable groups cope with the high living costs.
“We have arranged to offer free People’s Housing Project (PPR) and Public Housing (PA) flats to selected poor families and the disabled,” she said.
“We are also organising the MyGrocer@Wilayah programme, a marketplace which offers food items such as chicken, fish, vegetables, eggs, flour, sugar, rice and cooking oil at a subsidised rate, twice a week at 39 locations this month.
“In Putrajaya and Labuan, the programme will take place at the government quarters as well as selected grocery shops and supermarkets.
“For Kuala Lumpur, it will be conducted from grocery trucks in strategic locations for the target groups,” she added.
Musical fountains
To boost tourism, Rosida said the department had introduced free daily musical water fountain shows at Tasik Putrajaya near Putra Mosque in Putrajaya; near Jalan Merdeka and Taman Muhibbah in Labuan; KLCC; Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and The Gardens Kuala Lumpur, between 8pm and 10pm throughout February.
“The River of Life and Blue Pool near Masjid Jamek will be decorated with yellow, blue and red lights, the colours of the Federal Territory flag.
“In Putrajaya, the bridges and main buildings in Persiaran Perdana will be adorned with festive lights too,” she said.
Federal Territory flags being put up along the sidewalk in Putrjaya as part of the ‘Raise the Flag’ campaign in conjunction with FT Day celebrations.
“I hope the people will take the opportunity to go sightseeing at these sites with their families,” she added.
To enable hawkers and petty traders to earn extra income this month, Rosida said the department had prepared new trading spaces at strategic locations in the three cities.
The initiative, she said, was in line with the Prime Minister’s hope for the capital city to be equipped with an organised, modern and comfortable infrastructure and public facilities to drive the livelihood of the hawkers and petty traders.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Labuan Corporation are also organising blood donation drives, in collaboration with the Federal Territories Health Department and National Blood Centre, to help replenish blood reserves.
