PUTRAJAYA: The launch of the Resident's Representatives Committees (JPP) will set the path of evolution for urban social transformation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who officially launched the JPP today, said this was a significant event in the country's administration in changing the social landscape of society especially in the urban areas.
"About 70 per cent of the people are staying in the urban areas and by 2020 this number will increase to 75 or even to 80 per cent. We cannot avoid this trend as urban areas have very strong pull factors and it is hard to reverse the effect even though rural areas are also developing.
"A social transformation must take place in the urban areas, as there are many issues faced by the people. If there are potholes or clogged drains or garbage issues, expectations are high to rectify such problems.
"We must play our roles to maintain our homes and areas by having a higher level of civic consciousness, which is why the JPPs is the machinery to lead the society, " Najib said.
In his 2014 Budget speech, the prime minister had announced the government would set up the JPP to support community development programmes and address issues in their areas as the result of the changing demography in the urbanisation indicator.
The JPP is similar to the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK), meant to look after the welfare of urbanites.
The idea was mooted by the Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry and was approved by the government on Oct 16, 2013.
A total of 2,288 JPP under 98 local councils/ municipalities has been established in the Peninsula except for Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Putrajaya Corporation and Labuan Corporation.
Present at the launch was Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, deputy minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique and several cabinet ministers.