Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) plans to adopt an adaptive reuse approach to repurpose abandoned shop premises into more relevant functions to optimise urban space use. Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu stated that the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) is monitoring the issue, particularly in Lembah Beringin, Bukit Beruntung, and Hulu Selangor, where abandoned premises have been linked to undocumented migrant settlements and immoral activities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the problem arises from a mismatch between commercial supply and demand, changes in local economic patterns, unphased developments, and limited economically viable activities. Aiman Athirah addressed this during the Special Chamber session in the Dewan Rakyat in response to a query from Mohd Hasnizan Harun (PN-Hulu Selangor) regarding the ministry's plans to tackle the abandoned shop premises issue.
Aiman Athirah outlined proposed measures such as converting these premises into community centres, micro-enterprise spaces, and skills training facilities, subject to local authorities' approval. She also mentioned that KPKT intends to tighten development planning controls and reassess the need for new commercial projects to prevent future oversupply, aligning with population projections and economic activity.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the potential to revitalize these areas by strengthening local economic activities and encouraging small and medium enterprises through entrepreneurial support, rental incentives, and collaboration with agencies like SME Corp, Majlis Amanah Rakyat, and the private sector to generate real demand for existing commercial space.
KPKT has also implemented initiatives to improve the utilization of premises under local authority supervision. These include infrastructure upgrades, notifications on vacant units, rent-free periods of up to one year, leasing to unlicensed hawkers needing business space, and terminating leases of non-operating traders.
Aiman Athirah assured that KPKT remains committed to addressing abandoned shop premises in collaboration with the Selangor state government and the Hulu Selangor Member of Parliament, focusing on addressing safety and social concerns while supporting local economic development.