Melaka: A total of RM2 million has been allocated to the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council (MPHTJ) to prepare its draft local plan, aimed at ensuring the town's development is guided in a more sustainable, liveable, and competitive manner up to 2035. State Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee chairman Datuk Rais Yasin announced the allocation, provided by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) through the Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) under the Fifth Rolling Plan of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the strategic planning document will serve as the main reference for MPHTJ's development over the next 10 to 15 years, promoting organised, balanced, and people-centred urban growth. Datuk Rais Yasin remarked that the last draft local plan for MPHTJ was prepared 20 years ago, making this review crucial as it will replace the existing plan. It considers changes in the development landscape, population growth, infrastructure needs, environmental concerns, and local economic potential to ensure more effective and well-coordinated future development decisions.
He made these comments after launching a publicity and public participation programme to invite residents to submit proposals or objections to the draft MPHTJ Local Plan (RTPJ) 2035 (Replacement). The event also saw the attendance of PLANMalaysia Deputy Director General (Development) Saidin Lateh and MPHTJ president Datuk Sapiah Haron. Rais mentioned that the plan is open for public feedback until Dec 31.
The plan outlines six development thrusts, 33 strategies, 77 subject areas, and 281 components covering natural resources, the local economy, urban liveability, and the availability of facilities and amenities to ensure balanced and sustainable development in the MPHTJ area. More importantly, the draft identifies 42 'quick-win' projects that can be implemented in the short term to deliver immediate benefits to residents and create a strong initial impact on the planning and development landscape of MPHTJ.
In a separate development, Rais stated that the state government is planning to elevate MPHTJ to city status, although several conditions must first be met at the federal level, including a minimum population requirement of 500,000 residents within the local authority's administrative area. Currently, MPHTJ has an estimated population of about 200,000 out of Melaka's total population of 1.05 million. Despite not meeting the population requirement, MPHTJ's revenue collection is the second highest in the state after the Melaka Historic City Council. Consequently, the state government plans to request the federal government to consider relaxing the existing condition.