Urban development must put people first, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for urban development to prioritise the welfare of the people, particularly the poor and vulnerable, instead of focusing solely on modern buildings and infrastructure.

“When we talk about physical and urban planning, we are talking about life and humanity,” he said at the launch of the Fifth National Physical Plan and Third National Urbanisation Policy today.

Also present were housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming and federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh.

Anwar said the development of cities must also be guided by moral values, compassion and a commitment to uplifting disadvantaged communities.

He recalled visiting a settlement where residents faced poor living conditions, saying their circumstances served as a reminder of the government’s responsibility towards the people.

“What is equally important is the welfare of the people, and that includes not just the elite but also those at the bottom,” he said.

He also said that urban planning must give greater attention to public housing, hawker stalls, green spaces and basic amenities.

Anwar said about 80% of people visited stalls, warungs and small restaurants, but not enough attention was given to these places.

He said the success of urban development plans should be measured by how effectively they are implemented and whether they bring real improvements to people’s lives.

“Planning is only the beginning. The measure is in its implementation,” he said.

He added that Malaysia must continue embracing technological advancements, including artificial intelligence and digital technology, to remain competitive.

However, he stressed that technological progress must not come at the expense of moral values, humanity and the welfare of the people.