KUALA LUMPUR: All local authorities across the country have been asked to give attention to and address issues relating to urban or town planning to ensure balanced development that meets the needs of city dwellers.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was because the current situation was seen as quite critical as previous urban planning was found to have weaknesses since it focused solely on development.
“We see, for example, the situation has become out of control. The gap is so obvious as major towns are also congested with urban poor areas or slums. That shows that our planning has weaknesses.
“We built beautiful buildings and mega projects because they were needed to develop the country but we forgot that the people also need proper housing. When we want to build houses for them, we found that the cost of projects and land has gone up,” he said when officiating the Kuala Lumpur Garden Festival 2023 at Titiwangsa Lake Garden yesterday, Bernama reported.
As such, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said major town planning was very important in line with the concept of Malaysia Madani.
He reminded the local authorities to be responsible in preparing adequate facilities and beautifying hawker areas for the people.
“We want five-star restaurants but we must also remember that hawker stalls are also important as a majority of the people cannot afford to dine in at those high-end outlets.
“So, it is our responsibility to ensure the people too can enjoy the comfort of proper and beautiful facilities,” he said.
The festival, with the theme Malaysian Art and Flora Garden, is a rebranding of the Kuala Lumpur Orchid and Bonsai Show programme organised by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall since 2012.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming, Mayor Datuk Seri Mahadi Che Ngah and Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Bandar Tun Razak MP.
