Latest news with #MadaniCity
Free Malaysia Today
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Doubts over Madani City are completely understandable. Here's why
From Boo Jia Cher Putrajaya's RM4 billion Madani City project promises a people-centric, walkable and sustainable city under the 'Malaysia Madani' banner. On paper, it's an inspiring vision for urban development. But scan through social media and it tells a different story. Public scepticism is widespread, and for good reason. The project touts a pedestrian-friendly design, underground roads and 10-15 minute walkability. It's progressive, by Malaysian standards. But there's one glaring flaw: Kota Madani's isolation from mass transit. Cut off from residents Quickly glance at a map of where it will be located and we can see that the MRT Putrajaya Line is far from Precinct 19. Without direct, convenient public transport connections, residents will remain car-dependent. The promise of leaving the car at home falls apart when faced with long, uncovered walks or unreliable feeder services. Instead of integration, Kota Madani risks becoming a well-designed but disconnected enclave – in theory another 'walkable city', but not in practice. It risks following the same trajectory as Desa ParkCity: pleasant and walkable within its elite borders, yet inconvenient to access without a car, and as a result, grappling with the same traffic congestion as the rest of the Klang Valley. Spend the money on existing areas The need for affordable housing for civil servants is understandable. But is building a brand-new township really the best use of RM4 billion? What if that money was channelled into retrofitting existing areas, making mature neighbourhoods near public transport truly walkable, expanding green spaces, improving public services and fixing first- and last-mile connectivity? It can be a golden opportunity to whip local councils, many of which have been festering in inaction and mediocrity for decades, into real and measurable action. Councils must be held accountable to provide proper, people-focused infrastructure, not continue enabling the car-centric madness choking our cities. Upgrading what already exists often delivers faster, broader benefits than starting from scratch, especially when new developments risk repeating the same old mistakes. Political branding Naming the project 'Kota Madani' directly ties it to the prime minister's political vision. Politicising long-term infrastructure is risky: cities outlive political cycles. When projects carry the mark of current leadership, future governments may abandon or rebrand them for political reasons. We've seen slogans like Wawasan 2020, 1Malaysia or Malaysia Baharu; once ubiquitous, yet over time they faded, replaced by new political branding with each administration. Madani will be no different. The public already dismisses 'Kota Madani' as more political theatre than meaningful progress. Good urban projects should stand on their own; built to last, not propped up by slogans destined to be forgotten. Lessons from abroad Malaysia doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. Proven urban strategies already exist, such as: Hong Kong's rail and property model: profitable, transit-oriented development around stations funds both housing and public transport, integrating the two from the start; Singapore's master planning: dense, walkable neighbourhoods are built directly along MRT lines, with seamless pedestrian and high frequency bus links; Tokyo's transit hubs: multi-level walkways and integrated developments around stations reduce car use and boost quality of life; Seoul's urban regeneration: projects like Cheonggyecheon show the power of investing in existing urban areas, turning soul-crushing highways into vibrant, green public spaces. Instead of isolated townships, Malaysia must apply these models to existing urban corridors, building housing, services and infrastructure together, close to transit and jobs. A vision in need of repair Kota Madani, or any urban redevelopment framed around people-centric ideals, has the potential to be more than political theatre or a short-term bid for civil servant support. However, that requires fixing its fundamental flaws. Real urban progress strengthens existing communities, connects people to opportunity and each other and prioritises lasting impact over grand announcements. Public scepticism is loud and clear. The question is: will Madani listen? If the government wants Kota Madani to be more than an expensive illusion, it must engage, adapt and fix the cracks before a single brick is laid. Boo Jia Cher is an FMT reader. The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dr Zaliha: RM4b Madani City to be fully transferred to government after 25 years, no public funds involved
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — The government will take full ownership of the proposed Madani City in Putrajaya 25 years after its completion, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said today. She further said the RM4 billion development will be fully funded and maintained by the developer, Putrajaya Holdings, under a Build-Lease-Maintain-Transfer (BLMT) model. 'This project does not waste public funds, as claimed by some,' she wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. Dr Zaliha said Madani City would also provide 10,000 new housing units for civil servants, addressing a current backlog of more than 17,000 unfulfilled applications. She stressed that the development is a necessity, not a luxury, as demand for government quarters far exceeds existing supply. Madani City, located in Precinct 19 of the federal administrative captial, spans just 102 acres — about 0.8 per cent of Putrajaya's total land area. 'It will not replace Putrajaya,' she said, countering what she described as a common misconception. She added that the project was designed in line with the government's vision of a clean, healthy, advanced, safe and eco-friendly city. The name 'Madani' reflects values of humanity, balance, justice and sustainability, and is not a political label, she added. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the Madani City project on June 3, and is expected to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow.
Free Malaysia Today
26-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Imported apples, oranges exempted from expanded SST
The government previously said it would review the revision and expansion of the sales and service tax for imported fruits, following concerns raised by industry players. (Envato Elements pic) PUTRAJAYA : The government has decided to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded sales and service tax (SST). Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government acknowledged that many from among the poor and B40 income group would buy these imported fruits as they were affordable. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the Cabinet had discussed the matter yesterday, although he was of the view that there was no need to consume imported fruits. 'But I saw that there is a lot of unease. Many of the poor and B40 still eat imported apples and oranges because it's cheap. 'Usually when a finance minister makes a decision, he won't budge. But I mentioned to my Cabinet colleagues that it's actually reasonable (to exempt imported apples and oranges from the expanded SST),' he said at the launch of the Madani City project here. The prime minister also quipped that the demand for apples was due to the saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. 'Because many have complained, yesterday we agreed to give the exemption. Imported fruits will be charged a small percentage of sales tax, but we will exempt apples and oranges.' When asked by reporters later if the exemption would be extended to other imported fruits, Anwar said: 'No, the feedback we received involved apples and oranges.' The finance ministry previously said that the expansion of the SST from July 1, including a 5% rate on imported fruits, was strategically aimed at bolstering local agricultural demand and strengthening food security.
Malay Mail
25-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Dr Zaliha: RM4b Madani City to be fully transferred to government after 25 years, no public funds involved
KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — The government will take full ownership of the proposed Madani City in Putrajaya 25 years after its completion, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said today. She further said the RM4 billion development will be fully funded and maintained by the developer, Putrajaya Holdings, under a Build-Lease-Maintain-Transfer (BLMT) model. 'This project does not waste public funds, as claimed by some,' she wrote in a statement posted on Facebook. Dr Zaliha said Madani City would also provide 10,000 new housing units for civil servants, addressing a current backlog of more than 17,000 unfulfilled applications. She stressed that the development is a necessity, not a luxury, as demand for government quarters far exceeds existing supply. Madani City, located in Precinct 19 of the federal administrative captial, spans just 102 acres — about 0.8 per cent of Putrajaya's total land area. 'It will not replace Putrajaya,' she said, countering what she described as a common misconception. She added that the project was designed in line with the government's vision of a clean, healthy, advanced, safe and eco-friendly city. The name 'Madani' reflects values of humanity, balance, justice and sustainability, and is not a political label, she added. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the Madani City project on June 3, and is expected to officiate the groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow.
Free Malaysia Today
05-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
It's Madani City, not ‘Anwar's City', says PKR leader
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim being briefed on the Madani City project on Tuesday. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : A PKR leader has defended the Madani City project in Putrajaya after a Bersatu leader questioned the use of the government's tagline in naming the project. PKR central leadership council member G Sivamalar said 'Madani' referred to the government's core values – including sustainability, innovation, and compassion – and was not meant to promote any single individual. 'It needs to be stressed that it's 'Madani City', not 'Anwar's City' as cynically claimed by Tasek Gelugor MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan. 'It's shameful to mock a policy built on such principles for political gain,' Sivamalar said in a statement. She added that the project addressed a real need for housing among civil servants, who make up 90% of Putrajaya's population. Sivamalar cited the Auditor-General's Report 2021, which said that nearly 18,000 civil servants were still waiting for government quarters. She said the 41ha Madani City project would offer 10,000 housing units for up to 30,000 people, and was meant to be a walkable city with essential services within a 15-minute radius. She urged critics to stop politicising public welfare and to support meaningful solutions introduced by the government. Yesterday, Wan Saiful warned against using administrative slogans to brand major projects, saying it could lead to losses if there was a change in government. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Madani City project is set for June 26. The township will come with a secondary school, a technical and vocational education and training institution, banks, a government clinic and a mosque, among others. Its first phase, involving around 3,000 residential units and a vertical school, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
