MBSA representatives led by Aniza (front) proudly holding up their award for the Garaj Belia project. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
A PROJECT where children living in flats were given a dedicated space to revise and do their homework saw Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) winning the National Scroll of Honour Award For Human Settlements.
The city council’s initiative – “Garaj Belia MBSA” – which supports underprivileged youth, was given the award in conjunction with the World Habitat Day celebration.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming presented MBSA representatives the award at Armenian Park in George Town, Penang.
MBSA development deputy secretary Aniza Osman said the project began as part of the Selangor Zero Squatters scheme in 2015 during the tenure of former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
“Garaj Belia MBSA”, said Aniza, was carried out at Rimba Jaya Flats in Section 16, Shah Alam.
It saw the city council renting a place on the ground floor and hiring part-time facilitators to conduct tuition classes for the children living there, she said.
Aniza said “Garaj Belia MSBA” provided children aged seven to 17 a conducive space to do their homework, revise and carry out activities from 3pm to 10pm.
“It targets low-cost flats where the units are small and schoolchildren have no place to do their homework,” she said.
Aniza described “Garaj Belia MBSA” as a good platform to promote sustainable urban development by contributing to economic development and social well- being through the fostering of local talents and businesses.
She added that MBSA had identified several other low-cost housing projects where it would be carried out.
One of next year’s beneficiaries is the Taman Sri Muda Flats in Shah Alam.
“We aim to establish more ‘Garaj Belia’ in Selangor,” said Aniza, who is also MBSA’s Planning Department director.
She added that MBSA was willing to share how it implemented “Garaj Belia” with others.
Coming in second was Sepang Municipal Council (MPSepang) for its “Padi@Kebun Bandar Cyberjaya” initiative.
Nga also presented 10 consolation prizes to 10 organisations including local councils, farmer groups and corporations.
Earlier, Nga said the ministry had received 42 nominations for the awards, the highest so far.
Entries were evaluated based on best practices, initiatives and innovative solutions that contributed to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.
This goal aligns with the theme of World Habitat Day 2024 – Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future.
Among those present were Housing and Local Government Ministry secretary-general Datuk M. Noor Azman Taib, deputy secretary-general (planning and sustainable environment) Datuk Saidatu Akhma Hassan and several department heads.
