Kuala lumpur: Property developers should prioritise ecological preservation over conventional land-clearing practices to support Malaysia's sustainable urbanisation agenda, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said. He emphasised this approach as urban centres expand, necessitating a balance among economic growth, environmental stewardship, and long-term liveability.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nga stated the evolving challenge is not just to deliver more housing but to create inclusive, safe, and comfortable communities while balancing economic growth, environmental stewardship, and long-term liveability. He highlighted the objective of building not only liveable cities but also loveable and sustainable ones in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the launch of the Botanik Point Nature Reserve.
Nga noted that the MADANI Government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has centred sustainability in the national development agenda through initiatives by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT). These initiatives include the National Circular Economy Council, the Malaysia Smart City Rating Framework, and Waste-to-Energy (WtE) projects. Green technologies, such as solar panels, are being integrated into public housing projects to ensure sustainable urbanisation benefits are shared by all Malaysians.
He pointed out that Malaysia, recognised by the United Nations as a megadiverse nation, must protect its natural heritage. In support of environmental conservation efforts, the government has planted 115 million trees. As president of the UN-Habitat Assembly, Nga affirmed Malaysia's commitment to championing sustainable urban development globally through collaboration and knowledge-sharing with cities worldwide.
Regarding the Botanik Point Nature Reserve, Nga said the project exemplifies collaboration among stakeholders translated into a development model that aligns with Malaysia's sustainability and urban resilience goals. The project contributes to several UN SDGs, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). He commended Urban Hallmark Properties Sdn Bhd for adopting a development philosophy that prioritises preservation over land clearing, with nearly 30 per cent of the project area retained as a living secondary forest ecosystem.
Nga stressed that sustainability should be embedded into the DNA of planning rather than treated as an afterthought or an added feature. He expressed hope that the project would inspire a broader adoption of environmentally responsible development practices across the property industry.