Selangor MB moots ‘Greater Klang Valley’ conurbation

 

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari has mooted "Greater Klang Valley" conurbation to link four cities - Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Klang - together.

Speaking to reporters in Subang Jaya last night, Amirudin (above) said its features include a common platform of administration and greater coordination among the cities' services.

"This concept is based on the ‘clusterisation’ of the economy, focusing on the best and uniqueness of each locality. It is also the first of its kind in Malaysia, with four connected cities within one state.

"However, there will be a need to organise a common platform in terms of administration and implementing certain coordination among the cities’ services," he said, according to The Star.

Amirudin said he was not proposing “Greater Klang Valley” as a metropolis because the combined population does not meet the requirements.

"There are some challenges that the Klang municipality has to improve on (before it can become a city). Some parts of Klang still comprise traditional villages and there is a need for improvement of facilities and services in those areas.

"It would also be good if Kuala Lumpur could join this network, to better uplift and promote the entire Klang Valley as an attractive and vibrant area,” he said.

Amirudin said it would take between six to seven years for the “Greater Klang Valley” project to materialise.

A conurbation does not necessarily involve a single administrative authority but aspires to reconcile resources and services to be distributed equitably.

It can also help to coordinate transportation, housing and other infrastructure projects which are otherwise subjected to competition between local authorities.

An example is the Tokyo Metropolis Government, which is responsible for the overall planning of the Greater Tokyo Area, which itself is subdivided and governed by multiple local authorities. - Mkini