Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.
KUALA LUMPUR: Cities and urban centres in the country should be culturally and technologically vibrant to avoid becoming “concrete jungles”, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“What we show must not be any other city or just a concrete jungle which is all the same throughout the world.
“It has to have character as well as be culturally and technologically vibrant,” Anwar said when launching the Asean-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing 2024 here yesterday.
He said culturally vibrant meant displaying building designs which reflect the nation’s cultural diversity including that of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“It would be shameful if we do not take this into consideration,” Anwar said.
He added that the cities or urban centres should also be environmentally sustainable and sound both digitally and artificial intelligence-wise.
Anwar stressed that cities or urban centres must also cater to the housing needs of the less fortunate.
“It should take into account the needs of everyone, so that we don’t end up with one sector for the very rich and another for the poor and downtrodden. There must be ‘One City’ that is inclusive,” he said to applause of approval from the gallery.
Later at a press conference, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said a framework on Malaysia Identity of Architecture is being drafted to incorporate local designs in public buildings.
In line with this, he said a design contest for the development of new market premises under the ministry and local councils was recently implemented.
“Those that win, their design will be adopted for the building and they will be hired as consultants,” he said.
He cited the RM24mil project to develop the Bukit Mertajam Wet Market as an example where local cultural and historical features are highlighted.
He also said that the Malaysian Institute of Architects and Board of Architect Malaysia have set up a committee to fine tune a framework for a “Malaysian Identity Architecture”.
Earlier, Anwar also launched the 23rd International Architecture, Interior Design and Building Exhibition, which was also held in conjunction with the event.
The Prime Minister witnessed the exchange of letters of interest between PR1MA Communications Sdn Bhd and Huawei Technologies (M) Sdn Bhd. It is aimed at integrating Huawei’s smart devices into PR1MA developments to improve the quality of life for residents.
Also present at the events was China’s Housing and Urban-Rural Development Minister Ni Hong.
