Latest news with #HousingandLocalGovernmentMinistry
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Shaping global urban futures
THE year 2025 marks a pivotal chapter in Malaysia's aspiration to contribute meaningfully on the world stage. While the nation assumes the Asean chairmanship, another equally significant milestone has arrived: Malaysia's new role as the president of the United Nations Habitat Assembly (UNHA). Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established in 1977 and elevated into a full programme by the UN General Assembly in 2001. Tasked with coordinating human settlement efforts globally, UN-Habitat plays a critical role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 11 – to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The presidency in UN-Habitat is done on a rotational basis across regions. The previous term was held by Mexico from the Latin America and Caribbean region (2019–2025). The Asia-Pacific was next in line to assume leadership for the 2025–2029 term. Malaysia is honoured to be elected to this role in a United Nations body supported by all 193 member states. Why UNHA? This vision was first seeded when I first led a delegation from the Housing and Local Government Ministry to attend the UNHA in 2023. Malaysia has never assumed any prominent role in this UN body, yet we have so many efforts focused on sustainable development that can be showcased to the world. Malaysia brings to the table not only deep commitment but also tangible outcomes in housing, urban renewal and sustainable infrastructure. Our track record speaks for itself. Malaysia has achieved 43% of the Sustainable Development Goal indicators, far exceeding the global average of 17%. Our contributions span across affordable housing, urban renewal and sustainable waste management. In line with Malaysia Madani, our approach is anchored in the belief that housing is a human right and that livable cities must serve all segments of society, especially the most vulnerable. Affordable housing is one of the key agendas that we are championing at the UN-Habitat. Guided by the National Housing Policy 2018–2025, Malaysia has built a comprehensive and inclusive housing ecosystem that promotes home ownership and ensures affordability. As of March, Malaysia has completed 179,769 affordable housing units, with 235,862 currently under construction and 76,729 in the planning pipeline – amounting to 98.4% of our target of 500,000 units. In addressing legacy issues, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has established a special task force designated to resolve sick and abandoned housing projects. As at April, we managed to revive and rescue 1,044 housing projects worth over RM100 billion in total gross development value, helping over 120,000 families to finally be able to live in their dream homes after years of waiting, many of which come from the lower and middle class. Vision for urban renewal and legal reform Urban renewal is another key pillar of Malaysia's urban strategy that we wish to highlight during our tenure as the president of the UNHA. With rapidly growing urban populations, ageing infrastructure and increasing land scarcity, Malaysia faces an urgent need to rejuvenate old, dilapidated or underutilised properties in its cities. We must avoid 'the tale of two cities' – where one part flourishes while the other languishes in poverty. Earlier this year, we conducted an expedition with MPs to inspect several dilapidated buildings firsthand. What we witnessed was deeply concerning. Some housing areas were in alarming condition with mould infestations, damaged rooftops, broken lifts and other serious structural issues. At the Housing and Local Government Ministry, we aim to table the Urban Renewal Act this year. Through the proposed act, we aim to streamline the urban renewal process to ensure that the rights of property owners are safeguarded while simultaneously improving the living environment and revitalising the local economy in deteriorating urban areas. DBKL has identified 139 urban renewal sites in Kuala Lumpur, with an estimated Gross Development Value of RM355.3 billion. The upcoming Urban Renewal Act will provide a robust legal framework to facilitate redevelopment, revitalisation and regeneration of urban spaces. This legislation will not only support national development goals but also serve as a reference for other nations facing similar challenges in managing ageing infrastructure, land use and equitable urban growth. On the other hand, we are also mulling the Building Managers Act to address the root cause of urban decay, which is the chronic issue of poor property and building management across the country, especially in low-cost buildings. Currently, on average, each firm licensed for property management is responsible for managing 44 strata schemes or 4,898 strata units in Malaysia. This highlights a serious gap where there are insufficient licensed firms to effectively manage all existing strata schemes. As such, we are taking a holistic approach to urban challenges. On one hand, we are establishing legal frameworks to facilitate urban redevelopment in ageing and dilapidated areas. On the other, we are addressing one of the root causes of urban decay: poor building and property management. Malaysia also aims to lead global conversations on innovative waste management. Rethinking solid waste management The nation faces mounting solid waste generation due to population growth, urbanisation and lifestyle shifts. Solid waste grew from 13.9 million tonnes in 2021 to 14.3 million tonnes in 2023, translating to 1.17 kg per person per day. This trajectory not only has a negative impact on the environment but also affects government finances due to the high cost of solid waste management. For instance, in 2023 alone, we spent over RM2 billion for solid waste management, public cleaning and the operation of landfills and leachate treatment plants. Continuing to rely on landfills is no longer viable. Valuable land could be better used for housing, green spaces or economic development. Recognising this, the ministry has achieved a historic milestone: the successful transformation of a 18.7-acre landfill into a vibrant public recreational park in Bandar Tenggara, Johor. What was once a site of waste accumulation is now being repurposed into a space that enhances community well-being, promotes environmental stewardship and sets a precedent for sustainable land reclamation nationwide. To advance our zero-waste vision, we have launched the National Circular Economy Council for Solid Waste and the Circular Economy Blueprint for Solid Waste (2025–2035). The traditional linear economic model – take, make, use and dispose – is increasingly unsustainable. It relies heavily on the extraction of raw materials for production, only for most products to be discarded after a single use. To that end, the circular economy offers a more sustainable and regenerative approach. It reimagines the product lifecycle as take, make, use and reuse – with an emphasis on designing out waste and keeping materials in use for as long as possible. We need to transition towards zero waste. Leading the global urban future With Malaysia being entrusted with the presidency of the UNHA, we are prepared to drive high-level dialogue and action on pressing global urban challenges. This includes facilitating international consensus on adequate housing, inclusive city planning, climate adaptation and financing for urban resilience. We are also advancing the implementation of the New Urban Agenda through legal and policy reforms that aim to tackle poverty, socioeconomic inequality and informal settlements – many of which are increasingly concentrated in urban areas. These efforts are embedded in our commitment to sustainable, inclusive development particularly through affordable housing, urban renewal and innovative waste management. More than a diplomatic milestone, this presidency would be a reflection of Malaysia's evolution as a responsible, forward-thinking global partner. It would also offer a platform for us to elevate voices from the Asia-Pacific region and empower communities worldwide in their quest for livable, sustainable urban environments. This will strengthen Malaysia's role in the global south. Malaysia's leadership will prioritise practical and collaborative solutions, informed by real-world experiences and delivered through multilateral partnerships with governments, civil society and the private sector, in line with the concept of the 4P principle: People-Public-Private Partnerships. This is a call to lead with purpose, to build cities that are not just smarter but more inclusive – cities that care not only for infrastructure but for people. Cities that serve as engines of opportunity, dignity and hope. Malaysia stands ready to lead and deliver.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt urged to address unlicensed lodging or risk Visit Malaysia Year 2026's integrity
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has been urged to address the issue of unregulated short-term rental accommodations (STRA) and the unlicensed sale of lodging options through online travel agencies (OTAs) and social media platforms. Malaysian Budget and Business Hotel Association president Dr Sri Ganesh Michiel warned that failure to act immediately could jeopardise the integrity, sustainability and overall success of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY 2026). "The presence of unlicensed and unregulated STRA units, including apartments, condominiums and private residences converted into transient lodging, has created a parallel and illegal accommodation economy. "These entities operate outside any legal framework, do not pay licensing fees or taxes, are not subject to safety inspections, and undermine legitimate hoteliers and tourism players who have invested significantly in complying with national and local laws and regulations," he said in a statement yesterday. Ganesh said five key issues stem from the lack of regulatory oversight, including safety risks to tourists due to non-compliance with fire safety and health standards, as well as disturbances to residential communities caused by unchecked transient occupancy. Other concerns include loss of tax revenue for local councils and the federal government, distorted market pricing, disadvantageous law-abiding hotel operators and weak consumer protection, leaving tourists vulnerable to scams and unsafe premises. He said despite multiple complaints and discussions, unlicensed accommodations continue to be openly promoted and transacted online, including via major OTAs, classified sites and increasingly on social media platforms. Ganesh said MyBHA is calling for the setting-up of a high-level inter-ministerial task force led by the Housing and Local Government Ministry and Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry to introduce and enforce immediate regulations for all short-term rental accommodations. "This includes empowering local authorities to consistently and firmly enforce regulations and laws without negatively impacting licensed and registered hotel businesses and establishing minimum safety and operating standards for all accommodation providers," he said. Ganesh also wants the Digital Ministry and Communications Ministry to hold digital platforms and OTAs accountable for listings published on their portals, and enforce legal responsibilities for verifying licensing status before allowing listings. He also proposed the introduction of digital governance standards and penalties for platforms that facilitate illegal accommodation listings, including measures to prevent social media from becoming black markets for unlicensed stays, such as blacklisting, banning, and removing non-compliant (non-hotel) properties from digital platforms.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Negri's policy on strays needs a rethink
THE decision by Negri Sembilan state assembly, endorsed by all 36 assemblymen, sanctioning the culling of street dogs has sparked concern among animal rights advocates and concerned citizens. The voices of protest are louder than those in favour of the decision, and the state authorities ought to take heed of this. Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said his administration was left with no other option to address issues of disturbance and safety caused by the free-roaming canines. The decision, he said, had to be taken as the issue had been repeatedly raised and that gave an impression that his team was not doing anything to address it. Aminuddin promised that the stray dogs would only be euthanised if unclaimed from the pound after their capture. Animal welfare groups, however, want the authorities to consider other options to better manage the stray population. While acknowledging cases where aggressive animals pose risks to public safety, they said culling should not be an option. With no proper SOP in place, activists fear the state government's decision would give enforcement agencies free rein to cull all strays. They also claimed inconsistencies in Aminuddin's announcement as he had initially said only aggressive strays with a history of attacking the public would be put to sleep. Animal rights groups said the Negri Sembilan government should shelve the move while waiting for the outcome of proposals submitted to Housing and Local Government Ministry on managing the stray dog population. It should be noted that there are countries which have resorted to culling strays, particularly the animals that were known to have diseases such as rabies. On the other hand, there are also countries that completely prohibit the killing of street dogs and have adopted more humane measures such as spaying and neutering, sheltering them in pounds and promoting adoption. India, for example, has taken the fertility control route rather than culling, and its stray population has reduced. In North America, fertility control has had similar effectiveness over a 20-year period. These statistics, animal rights groups say, show that it is better to control than to kill. Animal welfare groups are asking that they be allowed to manage the issue via the trap-neuter-release (TNR) programme which they claim is the most effective method. They say it takes a minimum of five years for the programme to yield results and that non- governmental organisations should be given time to prove this. It is learned that the TNR programme in Seremban was only launched in 2023. The groups say they are also financially strained and depend heavily on public donations to cover expenses. For example Furrykids Safehaven, which houses some 2,000 strays in Rantau, claims it needs an average RM130,000 a month to run the shelter. More than half the expenses goes to buying 1,200 bags of kibbles − which cost some RM72,000 − for the dogs, followed by salaries for its 11 workers and veterinary bills, which come up to another RM50,000. Volunteers help catch strays for the TNR programme and feed them after they are released, at no cost to the state. To the people who have cared and continue to care for these voiceless animals, the decision by the authorities seems inhumane. We should perhaps take a page from other nations. The Netherlands, now virtually free of stray dogs, adopted a nationwide sterilisation programme in 1996. Homes were found for more than a million dogs without a single one being put to sleep. Another effective policy by the Dutch government was to impose heavy taxes on purchasing pets from stores, which eventually led people to adopt fur babies from shelters instead. Remember Kopi, the playful stray dog shot dead in Besut, Terengganu, during a culling operation? There are tens of thousands like Kopi all over Malaysia. A society is judged not by how it treats its strongest, but by how it cares for those who cannot fight back. The state government must return to the drawing board and come up with a policy that balances public health and safety with humane considerations. Surely, man's best friend deserves better.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia pursues historic UN-Habitat presidency
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is making a concerted effort to carve its name in history by seeking the presidency of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) for the 2026-2029 term. The Housing and Local Government Ministry, in a statement Thursday (May 29), said that various strategies and plans have been meticulously coordinated over the past two years, including bilateral meetings with the current presidency holder, Mexico; the host of the 2026 World Urban Forum, Azerbaijan; and strategic partner, Iran. "Upon arrival in Nairobi, Kenya, the national delegation, led by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming ( pic ), immediately began final preparations in the effort to elevate the nation's stature as president of UN-Habitat," the statement read. The ministry said Nga also delivered a speech at a multilateral meeting related to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a sustainable development agenda co-organised by Italy and UN-Habitat. Meanwhile, in a bilateral meeting at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Malaysia expressed its intent to learn from Mexico's presidency since 2019 and sought support for its own candidacy, during talks with Mexico's Secretary-General for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Enrique Javier Ochoa Martiner. Nga also gave assurances that Malaysia is committed to continuing the legacy of excellence left by past leadership and to strengthening multilateral cooperation within the UN-Habitat framework. - Bernama
The Star
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia in final lap to bid for UN-Habitat General Assembly presidency, says Nga
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is in its final lap to bid for UN-Habitat General Assembly presidency, says Housing and Local Government Ministry. Its minister Nga Kor Ming said the bid for the UN Habitat presidency was currently ongoing in Nairobi, Kenya, through a high-level delegation led by him. 'Bilateral meetings were held on Wednesday (May 28) at the UN-Habitat Headquarters with representatives from Mexico to strengthen support and exchange insights related to its candidacy. 'In a key meeting with His Excellency Enrique Javier Ochoa Martinez, Mexico's Under-Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, the delegation sought to learn from Mexico's experience as the outgoing UN-Habitat Assembly President (2019–present),' he said in a statement on Wednesday (May 28). If elected, Malaysia will lead the UN body, which comprises 193 member states, for the 2026-2029 term. Nga stressed that Malaysia remains committed to continue the momentum of excellent work and positive impacts achieved during the previous presidency. 'We remain steadfast to strengthen multilateral partnerships through this platform for constructive dialogues and meaningful outcomes,' he added. At the same time, Nga said Malaysia is also set to have bilateral meetings with Azerbaijan, Iran and Brazil. He said Malaysia's engagement in Nairobi marks a strategic step forward in advancing its vision for inclusive, sustainable, and innovative urban development through leadership in the UN-Habitat platform. 'Through these bilateral meetings, we hope to elevate the country's presence on the global stage particularly in the aspect of sustainable urban development,' Nga said. Also part of the Malaysian delegation are Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general Datuk Wira M Noor Azman Taib, and High Commissioner of Malaysia to the Republic of Kenya Ruzaimi Mohamad. The UN-Habitat Assembly is the highest-level decision-making body on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements within the United Nations system. It convenes every four years to set key issues and policy priorities for UN-Habitat's work. UN-Habitat's presidency applies a rotation system among regional groups within the United Nations. The current president is from Latin America and the Caribbean, represented by Mexico. The next president will come from the Asia-Pacific region and will serve a four-year term from 2025 to 2029. If Malaysia succeed in its bid, it would be the first time in 15 years that a Malaysian has chaired a UN body since Tan Sri Hamidon Ali served as president of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Ecosoc) in 2010. Previously, Tan Sri Razali Ismail held the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (Unga) from 1996 to 1997, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim served as president of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 1988.
