Federal Territories spearhead 50 years of bold development plans

The Federal Territory of Labuan is known for its status as an international business and finance centre, a thriving hub for oil and gas industries as well as a burgeoning hotspot for tourism.

The Federal Territories Department will roll out more urban initiatives and infrastructure plans to meet the evolving needs of the population

NEXT year will mark the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Federal Territories.

The regions comprising Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan have all undergone significant development since the start of its inception in 1974.

The numerous achievements, especially in terms of progress in the three territories, means the Federal Territories Department (JWP) has not been resting on its laurels.

The department is unique as it is responsible for three key hubs:

> The FT of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

> Putrajaya, the federal government’s administrative centre.

> Labuan, an international business and finance centre, as well as oil and gas hub.

The Federal Territories have achieved remarkable progress over the past five decades, since Kuala Lumpur was declared the first federal territory in 1974. However, progress is a continuous journey.

JWP is gearing up to meet current and future challenges by rolling out comprehensive urban initiatives, infrastructure developments and tourism enhancements in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan.

In a statement, the department said these plans would have a strong focus on affordable housing, urban renewal, green spaces, and smart technology implementation to meet the evolving needs of the population and ensure balanced and sustainable development in these regions.

Affordable housing is key

Equal attention must be paid to all aspects of developing the territories; from its people, to socioeconomic dynamics, urban infrastructure and the overall quality of life.

With KL seeing an almost a 2% increase in the number of residents between 2022 and 2023 which equals to two million people and expected to surge in the coming years, providing affordable housing remains a key focus for JWP.

Residensi Sungai Udang in Segambut is Kuala Lumpur's first council home, serving as transit homes for jobseekers in the city.

In its aim to ensure that the citizens of the federal territories have access to affordable housing, the biggest challenge is getting prospective developers who are willing to execute this plan without compromising on quality and safety..

Location for these projects is also another challenge, especially in densely populated Kuala Lumpur and fast developing Putrajaya.

Not to forget, the people of Labuan have been calling for affordable housing projects there to cope with the increasing number of citizens.

JWP is targeting to construct 80,000 affordable housing units by 2028 in the federal territories, having achieved 81.5% thus far.

Kuala Lumpur’s first council home, called Residensi Sungai Udang in Segambut, will serve as transit homes for tenants to rent before they are able to afford buying their own property.

With 1,251 units, the project is an effort to cater to jobseekers in the city and the units are available for rent at less than RM900 a month

New lease of life

A relatively new approach that JWP has embarked on is urban renewal, aimed at revitalising old brownfield and greyfield areas in KL.

The department, through Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), has identified 139 areas with the potential to be redeveloped in the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan 2040.

The method of implementation is outlined in the KL Urban Renewal guidebook.

Old flats and strata properties that are no longer conducive to modern living will be given a new lease of life with redevelopment, allowing for more affordable home ownership.

Amidst the bustling streets and soaring skyscrapers, Kuala Lumpur continues to thrive and expand, reflecting its ever-growing population and dynamic urban development.

A successfully completed project under this scheme is the 1Razak Mansion in 2017, while those in the works include DBKL public housing projects in Bandar Tun Razak and Lembah Pantai.

Greening cities

Together with the physical development of the federal territories, JWP is focused on ensuring there is balanced and sustainable development.

For more than a decade, it has become mandatory for new property developers in KL to allocate at least 10% of the project acreage as open and green space.

In Putrajaya, it is 30% that must be developed as green and recreational area.

To date, there are 2,385.55ha of gazetted forest reserves and public parks in KL, while Putrajaya has 1,376.81ha and 19.83ha in Labuan.

Development and nature should complement each other and JWP strives to add to that figure. One area where the department and its agencies are hoping to gazette as a forest reserve is in Bukit Dinding area in Setiawangsa.

Community gardens are a way for residents to not only grow their own crops but also help to bond with fellow residents.

Besides that, JWP’s commitment to planting one million trees in all three federal territories until 2025, as part of the ‘Greening Malaysia’ campaign, proves to benefit its citizens.

Community gardens have become a welcomed initiative as these are set up and managed by the local community in their own backyards.

There are currently about 65 community gardens in the federal territories – 37 are in KL, with 10 more being set up, while there are 15 in Putrajaya and three in Labuan.

While KL has seen the bulk of new initiatives and policies, Putrajaya and Labuan are not to be left out.

Putrajaya has been groomed to be a vibrant city, shedding the public’s perception of the city being just an administrative capital.

Well-planned city development has been executed strategically, with ample green spaces for its community.

JWP and Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) have been working together to encourage local and international tourists to extend their stay beyond a day with exciting programmes and events that are organised throughout the year.

Putrajaya was already one of the preferred locations for recreational activities, given its well-paved roads, abundant green spaces and water bodies.

New attractions here include the Putrajaya Steps, Souq Shoppe, and Glamping@Wetland Putrajaya.

Efforts to enhance Putrajaya's offering include plans for a 300km cycling path comprising 12 routes and the Putrajaya Sports Arena.

A Quranic Village project, a project planned in Precinct 14 to make Putrajaya a centre for Quran learning, is also expected to take off.

The city is also embracing smart technology, such as IoT networks, smart street lights, and increased round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, to improve the safety and security of its citizens.

In Labuan, plans are underway to develop it further as an investment hub with the upgrading of utilities and infrastructure.

JWP and Labuan Corporation (PL) are actively collaborating with the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change (NRECC) Ministry to address crucial utility issues, particularly concerning water and electricity supply.

Although the rate of development in Labuan cannot be compared to the other FTs, there is still a lot of potential here. The successful resolution of these issues is pivotal to facilitate international investments in Labuan.

Improved tourism products and destinations that have potential, such as stargazing and sunrise watching at the Wak Kiman campsite, have also been developed.

For adventurous travellers, Labuan has a variety of experiences to offer, including yachting, abseiling, kayaking, camping, golfing, and bird watching at the Labuan bird park.

PL has also run a major upgrading project for the facilities at the Chimney trail, Labuan Geopark, marine museum, Selera Manikar and Anjung Budaya to further enhance visitors' experiences.

JWP is focused on shaping the next phase of development that addresses the evolving needs of the people. As important as a golden milestone, the 50th anniversary shows progress that is not just about looking back at various achievements, but also about envisioning a better future for its community.