PLANMALAYSIA STEPS UP PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TO FAST-TRACK URBAN RENEWAL ACT

LABUAN, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) has intensified its public engagement through dialogue sessions to explain and secure broad-based support for the expedited approval of the Urban Renewal Act (URA), aimed at ensuring equitable and sustainable urban development.

Its director-general Datuk Dr Alias Rameli said the initiative is crucial to safeguarding residents’ safety, particularly those living in ageing buildings and dilapidated urban areas.

“Urban renewal is not merely a development necessity, but a moral responsibility of the government to protect residents’ safety and ensure healthy, safe and liveable urban environments,” he said at the Labuan-level World Town Planning Day 2025 celebration at the Labuan Sports Complex today.

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He said during a dialogue session on Nov 30, it was stressed that urban renewal is an urgent necessity to protect public safety, especially for communities residing in old and unsafe structures.

Alias emphasised the need for the involvement of all segments of society, including professionals, academics, residents’ associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), local authorities and local communities, to ensure the Urban Renewal Act is approved in a dignified and implementable manner.

He said the theme of this year’s World Town Planning Day reflects a clear vision and firm commitment towards sustainable urban development, particularly in strengthening urban resilience to address the challenges of urbanisation and climate change.

“Cities in Malaysia, especially the Federal Territory of Labuan, must achieve a high level of readiness and resilience to ensure the long-term sustainability and well-being of their people,” he said.

On Labuan’s development direction, Alias said the Labuan Structure Plan 2040 is highly significant in charting a new trajectory for the federal territory’s growth, in line with national urban planning policies.

He said development projects such as the Labuan Waterfront Phase One, the demolition of Hotel Labuan and adaptive reuse of buildings are supporting urban regeneration to ensure Labuan remains a dynamic and sustainable city.

“These initiatives are expected to create new investment opportunities, attract more tourists and enhance the city’s image, in line with the strategic projects identified as game changers under the Labuan Development Plan to stimulate its economy,” he said.

Meanwhile, Labuan Corporation chief executive officer Mohd Sukuran Taib said the CHASE city concept—Clean, Healthy, Advanced, Safe and Eco-friendly— has become the core inspiration guiding urban planning and development in the federal territory.

He said current planning efforts focus on enhancing the city’s image, improving landscape aesthetics, advancing smart city development and implementing various initiatives aligned with the CHASE concept.

“The diversity of events and activities organised in Labuan today is also anchored on this concept, making the city more attractive and vibrant,” he said.

Mohd Sukuran said urban planning should not be viewed solely as a technical exercise, but as a reflection of public aspirations, a platform for social inclusivity and a foundation for future prosperity.

“Therefore, we must collectively foster a planning culture that is more open, collaborative and responsive,” he said.

He added that as a unique federal territory, Labuan requires a progressive and people-centric approach to planning, and that feedback gathered throughout the celebration will serve as important references in strengthening policies and development initiatives under the Labuan Structure Plan 2040 and the Draft Labuan Local Plan 2040.

-- BERNAMA