IPOH: The Housing and Local Government Ministry aims to complete about 50,000 public infrastructure projects over 10 years.
Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic) said 5,196 projects were completed nationwide last year with another 5,000 targeted for completion this year.
“All public toilets, public markets, roads and drains will see vast improvements.
“We want to have a new landscape for our country,” he told a press conference after opening the temporary Pasir Pinji market here yesterday.
Separately, Nga said architects from other countries would be invited to take part in future public market architectural design competitions.
He said the competitions would be extended to international architects to look for the best designs.
“If anyone from Paris, London or Bangkok wants to compete, they are welcome.
“I have always said that Malaysia deserves nothing less,” he said, adding that design competitions were held for the redevelopment of the Pasir Pinji wet market and Pasar Awam Bukit Mertajam in Penang.
“The winner would be appointed as the consultant for the respective projects.
“This should be the new way of thinking,” he added.
On the new Pasir Pinji market, Nga said construction is expected to begin this year and completed by 2027.
He said about RM14mil would be allocated for the project.
“It will be the first market with green features. When completed, it can be a tourist attraction and the pride of the city,” added Nga.
He said the Menglembu and Buntong wet markets here would also be redeveloped.
“Both markets have more than 50 years of history.
“If it can be done, then Ipoh can be the city with the most attractive markets,” he said.
Asked whether there would be a time frame to redevelop the two markets, Nga said it would depend on the respective assemblymen to work hard for it.
“With a track record of our success story in Pasir Pinji, I think it will be easier to convince the traders at Buntong and Menglembu (to upgrade the markets there).
“There will be another competition that will be organised by a professional architect association to ensure transparency,” he added.
