POTHOLE issues in the Federal Territories will be resolved within 12 hours from the time of complaint, starting from the third quarter of this year.
With Malaysia chairing Asean this year and Visit Malaysia 2026, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said it was important to implement the zero-pothole policy in all the three federal territories, namely Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.
"Potholes are one of the issues people complain about the most.
"Hence, it is crucial for us, as public servants, to have a sense of responsibility to help them.
"I understand that currently, pothole issues will be resolved within 24 hours from the time of complaint.
"Can I challenge all of you to solve them within 12 hours starting from the third quarter of this year?" Dr Zaliha asked when delivering her mandate during the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Aspiration Ceremony 2025 at Putrajaya Corporation (PPj) Complex Wednesday (Feb 19).
The minister also launched the Clean, Healthy, Advanced, Safe and Eco-friendly (Chase) City Strategic Plan 2025-2029 during the ceremony, which was attended by officers from the Federal Territories Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, PPj, Labuan Corporation (LC) and other agencies .
The plan consists of three main strategic foundations that are implementing the vision of Chase City in a more comprehensive and orderly manner, aligning workflow to leverage the people's socio-economic status and community involvement while emphasising on effective governance.
Dr Zaliha said Chase City, which started in February last year as an aspiration on paper, has now become a reality of which the impact could be felt by the people from the Federal Territories.
However, she said challenges awaited as the Federal Territories continued to develop and move forward.
"Some of the challenges that could affect the future of the Federal Territories lie in city management, inclusive urban economy as well as the safety and sustainability of the cities.
"Nevertheless, these challenges should not become our excuse to retreat. We must overcome them to set an example of good urban reformation not only nationally, but also regionally.
"We must embrace changes bravely and diligently by adopting new city development approaches that are fairer, more sustainable and more inclusive. We should always challenge the status quo to become better," she added.
Dr Zaliha expressed hope that the vision of Chase City can be continued even when she is no longer the minister in charge of the Federal Territories.
"To me, Chase is not only a slogan, it is also a new concept for a more comprehensive and balanced development of our cities.
"The Federal Territories should not be only viewed from the perspective of physical development.
"The well-being of the people living there should also be taken care of.
"The Federal Territories belong to all of us, and their future is our collective future," she stressed.
Also present at the event were Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif, PPj president Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud and LC chief executive officer Mohd Sukuran Taib.
All of them received a copy of the Chase City Strategic Plan 2025-2029 from Dr Zaliha.
The minister then visited the Chase City and the Usaha Jaya Insan Programme exhibition, which saw booths set up by delegations from all the three federal territories and other participants.
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