Malaysian Development Plan System: Issues and Problems, One Decade After Its Reform (2001-2011)

Abstract

In 2001, the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) was amended through Act A1129 (2001). The amendments included provisions to allow four levels of government involvement (Federal, Regional, State and Local Authority) in spatial planning, with the intention of establishing a more effective development plan system in Malaysia. However, an assessment of the relationship between legislative provision and the implementation of development planning is urgently required to consider a number of issues, including delays in adopting plans and the continued existence of out of date plans. Therefore, this paper discusses issues and problems encountered by selected local planning authorities in the implementation of the development planning system. The discussion focuses on the capacity and capability of these authorities with regard to legal aspects, administration, finance, human resource issues and technical support. The data were obtained through mixed methods i.e. postal surveys, interviews with representatives from selected local authorities and focus group discussions with selected professional town planners. The findings demonstrate that most of the issues and problems encountered in implementing the development plan system at each plan level in Malaysia are legal in origin.

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“…Regarding factor of difficulty during planning control process, they perceived that waiting time (Ball, 2011) is the most difficult especially when it comes to water supply requirements in the study area. Political influences have caused difficulty in getting approvals (Ahmad, 2013). They also perceived that in some cases, bribery is encouraged due to the issues of delays.…”

Predicting the Effects of Urban Development on Land Transition and Spatial Patterns of Land Use in Western Peninsular Malaysia

“…In response to the negative impacts of land use change, new policies have been initiated by government to ensure a plan-led land development system (Ahmad et al 2013). The regulations have also taken into consideration the modern global requirements for sustainable development (Earth Observation Centre 2001).…”

Sustainable Transit-Oriented Development: A ‘Target Value’ Planning & Development Strategy

“…It is noted by Ahmad et al (2013) that town planners in Malaysia need to have stronger collaborations with players that can contribute to sustainable development. It is clear from content analysis of primary interview data and secondary data sourced from national, regional structure plans, state and local authority plans that Malaysian T&C planning practice is based on a very specific hierarchical rational or logical theoretical planning perspective that is constrained by classical economics principles of exacting wholly outcome-based measurables that are short-term.…”

“…There seems to be an unquestionable acceptance, and even attempts to "improve" on the existing rational planning approach, relegating importance of all the other planning approaches. For instance, Ahmad et al (2013) subscribe to the view that building the competency level of T&C planners can contribute to better T&C planning in Malaysia based on rational planning theory. Analysis of interview data with key TOD stakeholders, indicates that current planning for TODs is being undertaken in silos and in a piece-meal manner.…”