DEVELOPERS who fail to resume projects abandoned because of the economic crisis should be penalised, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday.

Abdullah, in making the suggestion at the opening of the Kuala Lumpur 21 convention and exposition in Kuala Lumpur, said developers have no reason not to revive their abandoned projects as the economy is now back on track.

"The Government understands that many projects had to be abandoned due to the economic and financial crisis as it was an unusual situation. But by now, all these projects must be attended to and construction must begin again. We cannot allow such projects to continue being left abandoned.

"We cannot have projects started and then abandoned," he said, adding that errant developers who fail to deliver must be punished and high-quality standards must be set for the construction of homes and offices.

There must also be a greater insistence by the public sector that private developers and companies assume the responsibility of being good corporate citizens.

This can be done by ensuring that they are committed to the sustainable development of a "Kuala Lumpur that is consistent with the preservation of the environment and promoting a living space that is clean and healthy," he added.

The Deputy Premier said urban development must also be approached with greater care in the future.

"Whereas previously, Kuala Lumpur welcomed the rush of development and construction, the city's management should now guard against another reckless build-up of property assets, as was evident before the financial crisis.

"It must also be vigilant against contractors who promise speed but not quality. Too often, Kuala Lumpur residents and workers have had to suffer living and working in places that are unfit to be occupied after a few months."

Abdullah said development in Kuala Lumpur cannot be focused on the expatriates, the affluent and the professional middle-class market alone.

The city is also home to recent migrants from rural areas, factory workers and others with lower income. "The Government is committed to handling this issue effectively, from dealing with housing problems to improving employment conditions.

"I sincerely hope that Kuala Lumpur City Hall will focus greater attention on the need to uplift the lives of this group by bringing adequate development to the areas where they live.

"We must tackle low-cost housing in a big and speedy way to solve squatter problems and to move people into decent homes," he added.

Abdullah said there is much that needs to be done before Kuala Lumpur can be said to be a truly global city of the 21st century.

This includes continued upgrading and coordination of the infrastructure. The culture of service and maintenance in the city also needs working on. He added that in all of these challenges and endeavours, the Government cannot do it in isolation.

"I am a firm believer that a tri-sectoral approach involving the Government, private sector and community groups must be employed effectively if we are serious about developing Kuala Lumpur into a world-class city," he said.