Melaka: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT), through the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), has allocated RM1.5 million for a review of the Melaka State Structure Plan 2040 under Rolling Plan 1 (RP1) of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for 2026.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Town and Country Planning director-general Datuk Dr Alias Rameli emphasized that this allocation signifies PLANMalaysia’s commitment to ensuring Melaka’s continued development as a livable and sustainable state.
“We see that there are several policy frameworks at Melaka state level that need to be improved within 10 to 15 years because the challenges related to urbanisation are changing,” he said, highlighting challenges such as weather changes and economic development proposals like the Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (SM-WEZ).
Alias mentioned the necessity for the structural plan review to address major issues like road and traffic light problems, suggesting the construction of new highways and a ‘real base’ transport system starting at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh, including options like high-speed rail. The implementation aims to significantly impact the growth of development along the Straits of Melaka, enhancing tourism development and boosting the local economy.
He further noted Melaka’s excellent achievements at the national level, having achieved the highest average score of MURNInets 2.0 with 94.31 percent this year. This achievement highlights Melaka as the state with the most superior urban sustainability benchmark in Malaysia, reflecting effective spatial planning and the strength of collaboration between local authorities, technical agencies, urban planning, and communities.
“It is proof of the hard work of all parties in ensuring that orderly, responsive and sustainable development truly bears fruit and is recognised at the national level,” Alias said, citing recognition of Bandaraya Melaka and Bandar Jasin as the Happiest Cities during the National World Happiness Day Celebration in March.