Six core thrusts for sustainable Federal Territories
KUALA LUMPUR: The Ministry of Federal Territories has introduced six core thrusts to realise the central theme of sustainable living for residents in Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya through the year 2019.
The six thrusts are in line with the newly-introduced theme for the Federal Territories dubbed ‘Caring Wilayah, Realising Aspirations’, and will serve as a guideline for the planning and management of programmes under the Ministry and its agencies.
The thrusts comprise Clean Territory, Public Safety, Efficient Public Transportation, Sustainable Socio-Economy, Green Environment and Inclusive Community, said Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abd Samad.
“The theme represents the effort by residents of the Federal Territories in shaping a caring, healthy and safe environment. The Ministry and its agencies will ensure the six thrusts are successfully implemented,” Khalid Samad said.
“The Ministry has provided a comprehensive project timeline, which starts in February,” he added.
Khalid Samad explained that under Clean Territory, the Ministry will strive to ensure the level of cleanliness in all three Federal Terrtories rise to a higher level.
“At the same time, the Ministry will also focus on management of solid waste, public cleaning actvities — which requires a breath of fresh air, and a better management model that is more cost-effective for all three territories.
“For Public Safety, the Ministry will emphasise the lighting factors across all three territories, namely street lighting, colourful floodlights to serve as new attractions, and using lighting to develop a vibrant environment in key public spaces.
“The Ministry will also continue with the enforcement of existing regulations. More so, the Ministry is mulling the use of close circuit television (CCTV) survelliance in crime hotspots.
“Apart from that, the rate of lighting will be improved, by undertaking the maintenance of 45,000 units of public street lights,” he added.
For Efficient Public Transportation, the Ministry will ensure better connectivity between stations and between different modes of transportation.
Additionally, the routes for ongoing free bus programme in Kuala Lumpur will be expanded to residential areas that are far from the access points of public transportation. The programme will also be introduced in Putrajaya and Labuan.
The Ministry also plans to implement a more efficient parking system to overcome the issue of traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours.
At the same time, the Ministry will cooperate with the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Finance as it plans to revive the longoverdue Putrajaya Monorail project.
Efforts to improve, and encourage the use of rail transport could contribute to the success of car-free programmes currently undertaken by the likes of Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) and Perbadanan Putrajaya.
Meanwhile, Labuan will also enjoy better comfort for its public transportation system with the upgrade of the existing ferry terminal in the pipeline. The Ministry also mulls the reconstruction of the LabuanMenumbok Bridge.
Under Sustainable SocioEconomy, the Ministry alongside all agencies within the three territories will undertake a slew of programmes, including medic bus, education for the poor, and a new youth-related progamme called Ikon Remaja.
It will also continue with the Federal Territories Affordable Homes (RUMAWIP) programme, which will be renamed as Residensi Wilayah.
The Ministry, said Khalid Samad, has targeted the development of 10,000 units of homes under the programme this year.
Among the objectives in Green Environment are reducing the pollution level in the three territories, as well as promoting them as green territiories.
“The Ministry will focus on Large-Scale Public Park beginning with Bukit Kiara, further improve the River of Life project, introduce ‘carbon-free city’ campaign, introduce biodiesel to fuel GoKL buses, enforce the usage of biodegradable products, and undertake public-private collaboration initiatives with the objective of improving local parks,” he said.
For Inclusive Communities, the Ministry will strengthen the role of Residential Representative Council (MPPWP), which was revived last year, within the community.
“This is because they have to represent the government as its eyes and ears to bring forward the issues concerning the people,”
“Aside from that, the ministerial council will be made as a discussion forum to plan and develop Federal Territiories,” he added.
Labuan, he added, will be given attention in the form of tourismbased development, which will become a source of income for the community.
Labuan will also enjoy better comfort for its public transportation system with the upgrade of the existing ferry terminal in the pipeline. The Ministry also mulls the reconstruction of the Labuan-Menumbok Bridge.
‘The thrusts comprise Clean Territory, Public Safety, Efficient Public Transportation, Sustainable Socio-Economy, Green Environment and Inclusive Community. The Ministry and its agencies will ensure the six thrusts are successfully implemented.’ Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abd Samad.