Kuala lumpur: The 50th National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) meeting has decided that the Draft Fifth National Physical Plan (NPP5) and the Draft Third National Urbanisation Policy (NUP3) will undergo further review and coordination with state governments, including Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan, before their final adoption.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) announced that the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also reached a consensus on exploring privatisation models for strategic infrastructure projects. This approach aims to enhance cost management and improve national fiscal efficiency.
The meeting emphasized the synergy between NPP5, NUP3, and strategic infrastructure projects, which is expected to help Malaysia maintain a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, benefiting the population.
The NPPC acknowledged strategic initiatives from the Works Ministry, such as a new alignment proposal for the West Coast Expressway (WCE) Southern Link, stretching from Banting in Selangor to Gelang Patah in Johor, covering 303.5 kilometers.
Additionally, the meeting recognized a proposed new road from Simpang Pelangai, Bentong, Pahang to Putrajaya, spanning 118.7 kilometers, as an alternative high-capacity route. These projects aim to alleviate congestion on existing expressways and boost the efficiency of the national transport network.
KPKT elaborated that detailed negotiations will be conducted with state governments to refine implementation methods and maximize economic benefits for local communities.
Furthermore, the NPPC reviewed 10 working papers, including two approval papers, three agreement papers, and five information papers, as part of the meeting agenda.
The Draft NPP5 and Draft NUP3, prepared by KPKT through PLANMalaysia, were also reviewed. These documents are pivotal for guiding Malaysia's spatial planning policies in a balanced and sustainable manner, aligning with the government's emphasis on federal-state collaboration.
The decisions from the 50th NPPC meeting underscore the government's dedication to ensuring that national physical planning remains dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking.