KUALA LUMPUR: The National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) has approved two key policies related to town and rural planning.
These are the Fourth National Physical Plan (NPP-4) and the Second National Coastal Zone Physical Plan, both of which were formulated in accordance to the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who chaired the 39th NPPC meeting today, said the council deliberated on eight agendas and made important decisions on three key agenda.
"The National Physical Plan (NPP) is the highest document on land use planning in the country.
"In accordance with Section 6B(4) of Act 172, the NPP must be reviewed every five years, either in tandem with the Malaysia Plan (presented every five years) or if and when instructed by the NPPC.
"The NPP-4 is prepared to set the direction for physical development, including the economy, environment and social (aspects) for the entire planning area in the Peninsular and the Federal Territory of Labuan.
"The NPP-4 has outlined three development thrusts, 11 strategic directions, 39 strategies and 120 actions that encompasses all physical, economic, environment and social development areas.
"The implementation of NPP-4 requires the participation of various parties at every planning and development level, be it at the federal, state or local government levels," he said in a statement today.
Ismail Sabri said the Second National Coastal Zone Physical Plan is a strategic plan on land use that outlines the direction of utilisation, conservation and management of coastal resources in the peninsula and Labuan.
"The plan has been formulated after taking into consideration geo-disaster threats such as coastal erosion and climate change factors that will impact socioeconomy and the environment.
"The Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) is also an important instrument that is taken into account in the plan," he said.
Besides the two plans, Ismail Sabri said the NPPC has also agreed to form a Regional Planning Committee (RPC) for northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, which will include Penang, Kedah, Perak and Perlis.
"The main function of the RPC is to coordinate cross-border planning issues between two or more states and to advise state governments or local authorities in a region on suitable development plans for the particular region.
"This is the fourth RPC that has been agreed upon by the NPPC, after the ROC for border areas between Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor; the RPC for Cameron Highlands, Kinta and Lojing; and, the RPC for border areas between the Pekan-Kuantan-Kemaman-Dungun-Jerantut districts," he said.
The NPPC comprises all the menteris besar and chief ministers of states in Peninsular Malaysia as well as ministers responsible for town and rural planning with the Housing and Local Government Ministry as the secretariat.
Ismail Sabri thanked all of them for their commitment in delivering advice, opinions and guidelines to the NPPC with regards to physical planning and development.
"The NPPC will continue to function as a strategic platform for physical planning and development that will reflect the country's aspirations and direction for the benefit of our Keluarga Malaysia," he added.
#kw: National Physical Planning Council, NPPC, Fourth National Physical Plan, NPP-4, Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, land, use