(From left) Ani and Abu Zarim with (from right) Norzaini and Ahmad Alhairi during ArCreate organised by PAM and held at the MPAJ headquarters.
A TWO-day exhibition in Ampang Jaya, Selangor, has shed light on procedures in applying for planning approval and building permits in the municipality.
ArCreate was organised by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) at the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) headquarters in Pandan Indah.
It was held as part of the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival 2023 (KLAF2023), an annual programme under PAM.
KLAF2023 director Norzaini Mufti said the event was a platform for stakeholders in the construction industry to meet.
“At present, there are too many parties involved in a project, including the local authority, project owner, consultant and contractor.
“This creates complications due to clashes, which impede the progress of a project,” he said during the launch of ArCreate.
Norzaini hoped the event would foster a better working relationship among stakeholders and help promote smaller architecture firms.
He also said a similar programme was being planned with other local authorities in the Klang Valley, including Kuala Lumpur City Hall, Shah Alam City Council and Sepang Municipal Council.
“Ampang Jaya was chosen as the first stop due to it having many mature neighbourhoods with plenty of new developments coming up,” he said.
MPAJ president Dr Ani Ahmad said architects and building planners must understand the processes involved when applying for project approval.
“This exhibition gives these professionals some insight into what goes on during One-Stop Centre (OSC) meetings,” she said.
In Selangor, the OSC is a committee at local councils which comprise council officials and technical agencies to deliberate on proposed developments.
Ani said MPAJ was willing to facilitate future programmes by PAM and hoped for more engagements to encourage an exchange of ideas.
Separately, she said the MPAJ Endowment Fund, launched last month, had collected some RM2,000.
It will, among others, be used to finance the maintenance of drains and trees in Ampang Jaya besides helping to feed and shelter stray animals.
Ani said MPAJ would promote the fund to encourage local businesses and entrepreneurs to make contributions.
“We will also start a similar programme next month whereby MPAJ employees can volunteer to contribute via salary deductions,” she added.
Contributions can be made at MPAJ counters, online, via credit or debit card, ewallet or using the Icomm MPAJ payment channel.
Also present at ArCreate were PAM president Abu Zarim Abu Bakar and MPAJ Building and Architecture Department director Ahmad Alhairi Mohamed Yusuf.
