Malaysia’s administrative capital turns magical at night. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
THERE is a lot going on in Putrajaya where development is concerned.
Just late last month, it was announced that an affordable housing project comprising 2,500 strata units will be taking place on a 7.19ha site in Precinct 7. The project will come under the Federal Territories Ministry’s Residensi Wilayah Keluarga Malaysia programme.
More affordable apartments under the Residensi Prihatin Keluarga Malaysia programme have been planned for the B40 in Precincts 5, 7, 14, 16, 17 and 19. Numerous residential and commercial developments are under construction and in the pipeline.
Those looking for property in this administrative capital can find newly completed as well as under construction strata developments in the market.
The city has a broad mix of properties and a variety of housing units.
Examples are the Seraya Condominium in Precinct 15, Aura Condominium in Precinct 8 and the Flora Rosa Condominium, which is still under construction in Precinct 11.
For residential landed property, property hunters can look to Precincts 8, 11 and 12. More will be coming up in Precinct 5.
Putrajaya’s commercial office spaces can also be found in the newly completed Menara Ochre, adjacent to Shaftsbury Putrajaya and Alamanda Shopping Mall at Precinct 1.
Among other upcoming commercial developments are the Precinct 8MD3 waterfront commercial development, expected to be partially completed by the end of 2024. The mixed development will have retail outlets, a shopping mall and hotel and service apartments.
Another is the transit oriented 7MD7 at Precinct 7 which will have retail units and park and ride facilities. It is targeted for completion by 2027. The development will act to create an economic spin-off effect in terms of job creation and business opportunities to local residents and potential investors.
A comprehensive development plan is also underway to liven up Putrajaya Boulevard at Persiaran Perdana, aimed at enhancing the vibrancy of the area.
The administrative capital’s beautiful landscape of scenic lakeview fronts and uninterrupted panoramic vistas are unique selling points.
Model city in sustainable development
Besides fulfilling its formal function as Malaysia’s administrative capital, Putrajaya has also set new standards as the ideal place to live, work, conduct business as well as engage in sports and recreational activities.
Occupying 4,931ha, Putrajaya provides a comfortable and quality lifestyle for its residents.
Muhammad Azmi says Putrajaya targets to reach sustainable world-class status by 2025.
Lush greenery, parks and gardens spread across the undulating terrain, enhanced by a large body of water and wetlands.
Residential areas are supported by a self-contained neighbourhood where commercial centres, public amenities and recreational facilities are within a 15-minute walking radius.
Residents are blessed with a city that cares about the preservation of its ecosystem and urban biodiversity.
“The parks and lakes are crucial elements in Putrajaya’s urban ecosystem and biodiversity,” said Perbadanan Putrajaya (PPj) president Datuk Muhammad Azmi Mohd Zain.
“The public parks, lakes and wetlands are the ‘heart of Putrajaya’ as well as a sanctuary for flora and fauna, making it an important eco-tourism attraction.
“Also making the administrative capital distinctive from other Malaysian cities are its iconic landmark buildings and bridges.”
Eventually Putrajaya will be home to approximately 350,000 people in about 73,801 housing units of various sizes and layouts within the residential precincts.
The planning and design of these residential areas are aimed at fostering a sense of community and identity, where nature and technology stand in harmony.
In sharing his view on working and living in the administrative capital, Muhammad Azmi said in PPj’s strategic plan, the city is targeted to reach sustainable world-class status by 2025.
“While its economic potential for now is largely dependent on the government sector, we have identified tourism as another income-generating base. As such, PPj will continue with development to advance the latter,” he said.
“Focus shall be on the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector, sports and recreation, eco-tourism as well as family-oriented holiday packages,” he added.
Putrajaya’s beautiful landscape of scenic lakeview fronts and uninterrupted panoramic vistas are unique selling points.
Supporting infrastructure
PPj carries out continuous improvements to the city’s infrastructure to enable residents and visitors to pursue a holistic lifestyle.
The city draws cyclists, birdwatchers and other interest groups to hold some 250 events here annually.
Avid cyclists have charted a total of 1,179 routes to explore in Putrajaya.
PPj is also in the midst of implementing its cycling blueprint as it is such a popular activity here. It will be adding more bicycle lanes within the administrative capital, totalling the distance of this facility to about 300 kilometres by the end of this year.
In line with its status as a smart city, the most successful initiative was the government services with over 90% completion in moving governance-related matters onto a digital platform. A notable achievement was the award-winning One-Stop Centre 3.0 Monitoring System, which enables all processes involving the issuance of development orders to be done digitally.
Another is the Putrajaya Command Centre, an integrated 24-hour operation centre monitoring security, traffic flow, IT infrastructure and environmental sensors via closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and panic buttons throughout the city. It is used by the police, Hospital Putrajaya, Putrajaya Fire and Rescue Department and the Putrajaya Civil Defence Force. The system also uses video analytics that will automatically alert the centre of danger.
Meanwhile, the number of smart CCTV cameras will be increased to 1,000 units by 2025.
In collaboration with the Communications and Multimedia Commission and Telekom, PPj has developed radio access network at multiple sites to increase mobile network quality to up to 100 megabits per second by 2022.
In addition, 5G network and services — set up in collaboration with Digital Nasional Bhd — will be ready by 2022.
Lush greenery, parks and gardens spread across the city’s terrain.
Strategic location
From its conception, Putrajaya has been planned as a Malaysian city, designed by Malaysians.
It is strategically located in the emerging and highly active north-south axis of the Greater Kuala Lumpur conurbation.
With Cyberjaya, Kuala Lumpur International Airport and major academic institutions as its neighbours, Putrajaya is in an advantageous position in terms of industry, academia and innovation-driven growth opportunities.
This will enable the administrative capital to reap the economic benefits from high-value jobs.
Putrajaya is the second most accessible metropolitan area within the Greater Kuala Lumpur conurbation, after Kuala Lumpur.
It is accessible by road, Express Rail Link and Mass Rapid Transit.
As such, it is a draw for corporate organisations, property investors and even domestic tourists weary of the growing congestion in the Klang Valley.
Parks and lakes are crucial elements in the city’s urban ecosystem and biodiversity.
The Asean perspective
The diverse population base in the Asean region is larger than the European Union and the United States put together.
Putrajaya sits at the epicentre of this growing market, with some of the best infrastructure and region-wide connectivity.
Rightly positioned to be the nexus for governance, politics, culture and commerce in the larger East Asian region, the Malaysian administrative capital is self-sustaining in terms of infrastructure.
Moving forward as a magnet for people, investments, businesses and the intellectual community, Putrajaya wants investors that can offer cultural and social vibrancy, smart business and living services, an international environment, efficient transport connectivity and mobility, and a sustainable green environment.
“Putrajaya is a modern city model with the ability to adjust to and accommodate new trends, economic shifts and population growth,” said Muhammad Azmi.
“The most important task ahead is to create a multiplier economy impact from the tourism clusters, in job and business opportunities for investors and residents alike,” he added.
