Federal Government will have the final say on big projects

02/07/2003 The Star By LEONG SHEN-LI

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Government will have the final say in all new development of townships, major infrastructure projects and projects located in environmentally-sensitive areas before they are approved.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said such projects would be referred to the National Physical Planning Council before they could be approved by the states and local authorities.

“Such development must be referred to the council for advice, and the advice will be binding on all states and local authorities,” he said.

He added that the new regulation was adopted during the council's first meeting two weeks ago.

Ong said the new regulation, effective immediately, would put an end to the piecemeal manner in which state governments and local authorities handled the approval of development projects now.

“Some projects approved by one local authority may not take into consideration the impact they may have on neighbouring areas which may not come under its control,” he said.

Giving an example, Ong said a local council might approve many development projects next to an existing town.

“These projects may involve hill cutting and chopping down of trees, and because of the disregard for the drainage system, the town suffers from floods,” he told reporters after launching the “Exclusive Homes 2003” exhibition yesterday.

Ong said all future development for townships involving more than 10,000 people would have to be first referred to the council before being approved by the state or local planning authority.

“The council's technical committee chaired by the Town and Country Planning Department director-general will do the necessary investigations and draw up conditions for the development,” he said.

On projects in environmentally-sensitive areas, he said such areas would cover development in water catchment areas, forest reserves, hill or riverine areas.

“The council will be drawing up a set of guidelines to determine what are deemed to be environmentally-sensitive areas and all development which can occur in these areas will be subject to the regulation,” he said.

As for major infrastructure projects, Ong said these projects, such as highways, were previously constructed without consultation with local authorities as well as town planners.

“With the council, the impact of such projects on the environment and people living next to the projects can be assessed,” he said.

Ong said a working committee formed by the council and chaired by his ministry's secretary-general would meet every month to vet applications. Only major issues would be forwarded to the council, which would meet once every four months, for deliberation.

By virtue of this, he said the regulation should not cause any delays to developers.

With the regulation, he said all future major development projects, which might have an impact on the environment, would be well co-ordinated and effectively monitored at the Federal level.

Formed under the 2001 amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, the council is chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Members of the council include the Deputy Prime Minister as deputy chairman, the Housing and Local Government Minister, representatives from other relevant ministries and agencies, as well as the Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers of all states in Peninsular Malaysia. The Housing and Local Government acts as its secretariat.

Ong said his ministry was also drawing up a National Physical Plan which would encompass the whole of Peninsular Malaysia and contain all necessary information on land use and green areas to be maintained.

He said the national plan would be ready by the end of the year