Kuala lumpur: Governments must move beyond regulating innovation and instead create conditions that allow it to thrive while ensuring that technological progress benefits society, said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. Speaking at the closing of the Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) City Talk 2026 here, today, he said Malaysia's urban planning framework must shift from a regulatory approach to a facilitative one that encourages innovation without compromising public interest, safety, sustainability and good governance.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nga emphasized that regulations should safeguard public interest but not become barriers to innovation. He urged for a cultural shift in the planning system from control to facilitation of responsible development, aligning with Malaysia's MADANI aspirations and the 13th Malaysia Plan (MP13), which focus on affordability, liveability, sustainability, connectivity, and community building.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) had previously met its MP12 target by facilitating the construction of over 511,000 affordable housing units nationwide. Nga highlighted the improvement in the perception of affordable housing, now characterized by dignity and quality through stronger private sector collaboration and higher development standards.
Citing a PR1MA development in Penang, he noted that homes priced around RM300,000 offer facilities comparable to private developments, including swimming pools and recreational spaces. Nga also discussed the transformation of the People's Housing Programme (PPR) into the Program Residensi Rakyat (PRR), incorporating greener features such as solar systems and urban farming to enhance construction quality and reduce environmental impact.
Connectivity remains a priority, with KPKT integrating the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) concept into public housing projects to improve access to essential services for less privileged communities. On community development, Nga stressed the importance of public spaces for mental well-being and social cohesion, with plans to develop 1,000 Taman MADANI nationwide.
So far, 216 community parks have been completed in the past 24 months, converting underutilised land into recreational areas. Additionally, the government has identified four pilot projects in Putrajaya, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur to implement the Vertical School Model, addressing overcrowding in urban areas.
The conference gathered over 200 policymakers, urban planners, architects, and industry leaders to discuss sustainable urban development, focusing on themes such as climate change, digital transformation, and rapid urbanisation challenges.