MPFN Mandates Assessment of Sinkhole-prone Areas Prior To Development Approval - KPKT

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- Technical assessments and inspections of obsolete utilities in sinkhole-prone areas must be carried out before local authorities grant any development approvals.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) said the matter was decided at the 51st National Physical Planning Council (MPFN) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"This approach is crucial to ensure public safety and geological risks are addressed from the early stages of development planning," KPKT said in a statement.

The ministry said the meeting also urged state governments to improve the provision of quality public open spaces and expedite the gazettement process. This is to ensure public access to safe and comfortable recreational areas, promoting a healthy lifestyle and strengthening community interaction.

The meeting also approved the Fifth National Physical Plan (RFN5) and the Third National Urbanisation Policy (DPN3) as strategic directions for the country's physical and urban development.

RFN5 is the country's highest spatial planning document, covering Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan until 2040. It focuses on sustainable land use, natural resource preservation, and increased resilience against climate change and disasters.

Among the RFN5 targets are the implementation of smart cities across 115 local authorities, maintaining at least 50 per cent forest cover, and providing 1.6 million hectares of potential land to support the country's economic growth.

DPN3 is the national urban development policy until 2035, covering 203 cities under 101 local authorities in Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan. It ensures urban growth is planned in a more structured, inclusive and sustainable manner, in line with demographic, economic and technological shifts, as well as climate change challenges.

KPKT said the MPFN also considered the Draft Putrajaya Structure Plan 2050, which outlines the national administrative centre's development direction. This includes a target population of 305,000, the provision of 83,438 housing units, achieving carbon-neutral status, and artificial intelligence-driven urban management.

In addition, the meeting agreed to the Perlis State Structure Plan 2040, which outlines development strategies including the Perlis Inland Port, the Chuping Valley Industrial Area (CVIA), and the strengthening of the state's granary areas.

"Overall, the decisions of the 51st MPFN reinforce the government's commitment to ensuring the country's physical and urban development is planned, sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and responsive to future changes, in line with Malaysia MADANI aspirations," the statement read.

-- BERNAMA