New guidelines for planning and development

08/09/2000 The Star

Port Dickson: A more uniformed development is expected from all states as local authorities will now be using a standardised version for the guidelines on planning and development.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the new guidelines, known as the Universal Planning and Development Guidelines (second edition). Had been distributed to town and country planning senior officers.

"They should not be using the old guidelines anymore as the second edition supercedes the one," he said yesterday after a closed-door dialogue session with town and country planning senior officers.

The new guidelines, he said would standardise planning activities for the entire country as every state government would now have to follow them.

Planning officers, he said, would now use the guidelines when approving development plans for local and state authorities.

He added that it was a universal guide which took into consideration various aspects, including the sensitivities of all communities.

The guidelines were put together by the Town and Country Planning Department after it was approved by the National Council of Local Government in April, he said.

On the dialogue, Ong said it was beneficial as the ministry could obtain feedback from town and country planning senior officers which could help both parties to understand issues on development.

On amendments to the Housing Developers Act which includes a housing tribunal to seek redress for buyers involving houses which cost less than RM25,000, Ong said the draft amendment was now in the final stage.

 Follow-up 1) RM25,000 is below market rate: HBA