KLANG, June 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for land owned by Prasarana Malaysia Bhd (Prasarana) located near public transport stations to be developed into people’s housing projects under the transit-oriented development (TOD) concept.
He said development in strategic areas near transport hubs such as LRT and MRT stations should also prioritise adequate parking facilities, as well as commercial spaces for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
“This will not only help reduce commuters’ travel costs and encourage greater use of public transport, but also generate stronger commercial returns.
“I do not think the focus here should be luxury housing, but rather people’s housing, together with small and medium-sized shops and stalls to add value,” he said when launching the LRT3 Shah Alam Line at the Johan Setia LRT Depot here today.
Anwar said he had given a mandate to Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook to expedite the development of Prasarana’s extensive land holdings, particularly in densely populated urban areas, so that they are not left idle without benefiting the people.
The prime minister said close cooperation between the Transport Ministry, Prasarana, the Finance Ministry, state governments and local authorities must be strengthened to speed up the implementation of TOD projects.
“I ask that the Chief Secretary, Prasarana, the Selangor Menteri Besar and the Shah Alam Mayor cooperate so that this can be implemented quickly,” he said.
He stressed that people’s housing near public transport stations should be prioritised, as lower-income groups find it difficult to own homes without government intervention and support.
Anwar also emphasised the need for bureaucratic reform to speed up approval processes for development projects, including people’s housing.
He said Malaysia has shown improvement in international competitiveness reports, but efforts to further strengthen the efficiency of public service delivery must continue.
“If we can increase our speed, we can provide comfort to thousands of people. What we want to stress is: do not steal money, do not embezzle, do not use delays to take commissions that are not rightfully ours."
Anwar said he wanted Prasarana land development projects under the TOD concept to serve as an example of how project approvals can be carried out efficiently and swiftly, with the aim of completing people’s housing around Shah Alam within the next two to three years.
Earlier, the prime minister took a ride on the LRT3 train from Seri Andalas station to Johan Setia station, a journey of about 15 minutes.
Also present were Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
