Bottom-up feedback system needs to be strengthened - PM

 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has called for the bottom-up feedback system to be strengthened to ensure integration and cooperation on policy matters and better coordination of action plans to reduce the mismatch between real needs and plans in urban areas.

He said this was important to understand the needs of the various groups of people as Malaysia faces many challenges as a fast-developing nation.

"All these, undoubtedly, require concerted efforts by ministries and agencies at the national, state and local levels to work together to align our policies and strategies to ensure that our future growth will take place in a more responsible, integrated and sustainable manner," he said.

Muhyiddin was speaking at the Malaysia Urban Forum (MUF) 2020 themed 'The Transformative Pathway and Actions To Deliver The Sustainable Agenda' in Kuala Lumpur, today.

He said one of the challenges is the growing population in the urban areas, as 80 percent or 26 million people are expected to reside in the urban areas in 2030, from 77 percent currently.

"With such large population in the cities, we will be even more challenged to provide for the needs of our urban societies - manage the waste generated, overcome increasing traffic problems and air pollution, provide affordable homes, ensure sufficient access to water, uninterrupted power supply, provide quality access to public transportation and telecommunication, as well as overcoming severe flooding in the cities," he added.

He said Malaysia is also challenged by the change in demographic profile where it will become an ageing society by 2045 with 14 percent of its population will be 65 years old and above.

The prime minister said this would bring about new challenges in health service needs and the physical environment.

"Hence, our cities and urban environment must be aged and gender-friendly as we prepare ourselves for this change in social profile. It is time we address ageing society in our national development plans and re-look at our planning and physical development in order to meet the needs of the elderly community," he said.

Muhyiddin said cities should also cater to the needs of the disabled and provide good quality public spaces for communities to gather, strengthen social cohesion and allow cities to highlight their local cultural identity.

- Bernama