Making Kuala Lumpur a great place to live in

The Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley NKEA 2020 targets are to be in the top 20 most livable cities list and the top 20 in economic growth.

The goals under this NKEA are to be realised through the implementation of nine Entry Point Projects (EPPs) and the two business opportunities. These include improving the city’s attractiveness to foreign multinational companies (MNCs) and foreign talent, putting in place an efficient public transport system and enhancing the ambience of the city by improving its physical environment through various initiatives.

Intensive efforts are ongoing to upgrade the water quality of Kuala Lumpur’s main rivers and beautifying and developing its surroundings via the River of Life EPP, going green through the planting of more trees in the city, developing iconic places within the city and providing comfortable walkways for the pedestrians.

There are also plans to enhance solid waste management and sewerage services for the metropolis, as well as efforts to improve housing opportunities and to vitalise Putrajaya.

It is envisaged that initiatives under the Greater Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley NKEA would contribute RM190bil in GNI over the next 10 years and create over 300,000 jobs.

Achievements for 2011 have been good, with 16 KPIs meeting targets. Out of these, at least eight KPIs have surpassed targets.

Falling short of expectation were the KPIs for a biogas plant for food waste, improvement of pedestrian walkways, talent attraction programme and the website and portal improvement.

The Government is upping the ante with new critical targets for 2012.

This year’s KPIs include concluding Letters of Intent for 10 MNCs’ operational headquarters relocation in Greater KL/KV; 600 employment generation and 10 branding InvestKL activities.

“For the Returning Expat Programme, the KPI is to have 1,200 expatriates return to Malaysia. The Residence Pass Programme is targeting for 800 approved passes, while the Employment Pass (Category II) intends to approve 300 passes. This year will also see the development of a diaspora database,” the report said.

On infrastructure, the feasibility study for the high-speed rail was due for completion. The Government also aims to have 100% completion of land required for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang My Rapid Transit line, and all elevated civil underground and depot packages are to be awarded, among others.

This year would see completion of the Heritage Trail Route 1 (National Museum to Medan Pasar), Reviving Medan Pasar and Heritage Trail Routes two to four, as well as the upgrading of Masjid Jamek, and land matters, planning approvals and detail design for Malaysia Truly Asia Centre (MTAC).

Also, there would be a 12km upgrade of non-covered pedestrian network system.

In terms of environment protection, the Government expects 15% completion of River Beautification Construction for Phase 1 under the River of Life project, and 30,000 trees to be planted.

The Government also expects a 100% roll-out of Separation at Source Scheme (Household Wastes) in Kuala Lumpur through distribution of bins to landed property; and Issuance of Letter of Approval to successful contractor via Private Public Partnership for the setting up of Food Waste Treatment Plant (Composting or Anaerobic Digestion) for food waste.

In addition, the Government was targeting a 45% construction progress for rationalisation projects of Old Klang Road; 20% sewer rehabilitation projects in Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya and Petaling Jaya; and 18% regionalisation of sewerage treatment Lot 130, Klang.

By The Star