KLANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has directed the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry and Prasarana to expedite plans to develop integrated projects on land surrounding rail stations.
Priority must be given to affordable housing.
Speaking at the launch of the Shah Alam Line on Sunday (June 28), Anwar said the move followed proposals to better utilise land around LRT and MRT stations, instead of leaving large tracts occupied mainly by park-and-ride facilities.
"I want the secretaries-general of the Transport Ministry and the Finance Ministry, together with Prasarana, to expedite this so that the development aspect is handled by a separate sector," he said.
"This will allow Prasarana to focus on what it has been entrusted to do - ensuring an efficient, reliable and fast public transport system," he said in his speech.
Anwar said Prasarana's extensive land holdings, particularly in densely populated areas, should not be wasted.
Instead, they should be redeveloped to include sufficient parking facilities, affordable housing and commercial space for small businesses.
He said proposals to redevelop station land should prioritise rakyat housing rather than luxury developments.
"The priority must be affordable housing. I don't think five-star housing should be built there," he said.
"It should be housing for the people, together with shops for small and medium-scale businesses," he added.
Anwar said integrating housing with rail stations would reduce commuting costs, encourage greater use of public transport and improve the commercial value of the land.
He also urged the Selangor government and local councils to cooperate in ensuring approvals for the projects were processed efficiently.
Citing Malaysia's improved standing in the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, Anwar said the country must continue improving its execution, particularly in speeding up government approvals.
He said processes that should take two weeks or two months were sometimes delayed for up to eight months.
This happened despite the government's ability to complete projects much faster when agencies were instructed to prioritise them.
Recalling an affordable housing initiative introduced three years ago, Anwar said a project that would normally have taken between eight and 18 months to secure approvals was completed in just one-and-a-half months.
This was achieved after the government insisted on faster implementation.
"I want this project on Prasarana land to become an example of how Prasarana, the Finance Ministry, the Transport Ministry, Shah Alam City Council and the Selangor Menteri Besar can work together to secure approvals quickly and set a new benchmark," he said.
He said good governance, capable leadership and honest civil servants were essential to ensuring affordable housing projects succeeded.
Private developers of luxury homes generally did not require government intervention.
Anwar added that the Federal Government would also accelerate the redevelopment of existing government land for housing, including land belonging to agencies such as the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and Customs Department.
He said several projects would begin in states including Perak and Johor, particularly in Larkin, Johor Bahru, where existing federal land would be redeveloped for public housing.
"Many things can be achieved if we focus on our priorities," he said.
"Malaysia has recorded strong performance over the past few years because of political stability, clear policies and, now, we must ensure execution becomes even more effective," he added.
