NPCC Agrees On RFN5 And DPN3 To Be Coordinated With State Governments

PUTRAJAYA, April 9 (Bernama) -- The 50th National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) meeting has agreed that further review and coordination of the Draft Fifth National Physical Plan (NPP5) and the Draft Third National Urbanisation Policy (NUP3) be carried out jointly with state governments, including Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan, before they are finalised for adoption.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) said the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also agreed that proposed strategic infrastructure projects be explored through privatisation implementation models to optimise cost management and national fiscal efficiency.

“Through the synergy of NPP5, NUP3 and strategic infrastructure projects, Malaysia is on the right track to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability for the well-being of the people,” KPKT said.

The statement said the NPPC also took note of strategic infrastructure initiatives by the Works Ministry, including a proposed new alignment for the West Coast Expressway (WCE) Southern Link from Banting, Selangor to Gelang Patah, Johor, spanning 303.5 kilometres.

In addition, the meeting also took note of a proposed new road from Simpang Pelangai, Bentong, Pahang to Putrajaya, covering 118.7km, as a high-capacity alternative route.

“Both projects are designed to reduce critical congestion on the North-South Expressway (E2) and the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (E8), while enhancing the efficiency of the national transport network,” the statement said.

Elaborating, KPKT said the meeting agreed on detailed negotiations to be conducted with the relevant state governments to refine implementation methods and ensure maximum economic impact for local communities.

Meanwhile, KPKT added that the NPPC had considered a total of 10 working papers, comprising two approval papers, three agreement papers and five information papers.

The NPPC also reviewed the Draft NPP5 and Draft NUP3 prepared by KPKT through PLANMalaysia as two key national spatial planning policies, the statement said.

KPKT said the documents would drive Malaysia’s physical development direction and governance in a balanced and sustainable manner, in line with the MADANI Government’s emphasis on federal-state cooperation.

“The decisions of the 50th NPPC meeting reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring that national physical planning remains dynamic, inclusive and forward-looking,” the statement added.

-- BERNAMA