29/03/2026

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday MAR 29, 2026 M’sia eyes Cambridge urban tie-up

Proposed platform to advance SDG 2030 will strengthen global partnerships and boost resilient city development: Minister Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com nation’s resilience as a formidable trading economy in Asia despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.

unlocking RM133.78 billion in value. “The government is also targeting zero sick and abandoned private housing projects by 2030 under five Madani housing reforms, while strengthening governance of high-density and strata living through reforms to the Strata Management Act,” he said. Nga earlier delivered a keynote address at the inaugural forum on housing and urban planning at Downing College, University of Cambridge, becoming the first Madani government minister invited to speak at the institution. The forum was jointly organised by the Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Institute, the University of Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University and the Cambridge University Malaysian Students Association.

capping prices at RM300,000 and aligning them with district median income. He said Malaysia’s home ownership rate has reached 76.5%, surpassing countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia. “Other priorities include advancing climate-resilient housing through transit oriented development and nature-based solutions, following recent monsoon floods which caused significant damage nationwide. “Through these efforts, the ministry eliminated 145 flood hot spots last year.” He added that efforts also include improving land and planning coordination through a national urban observatory and revitalising abandoned housing projects, with nearly 1,350 projects revived since 2023, benefiting more than 167,000 homebuyers and

collaboration, positioning the country as a proactive partner in developing affordable, resilient and inclusive cities. “Malaysia, under the Madani government’s leadership, continues to prove that even in a volatile global economy marked by trade tensions between major powers, we remain a neutral, resilient, open-trading nation and a reliable anchor in global value supply chains. “Investor confidence has strengthened significantly, reflected in the ringgit’s strong regional performance, Bursa Malaysia surpassing the 1,770 point mark in February and a trade surplus of RM151.8 billion, with total trade volume exceeding RM3 trillion,” he said. Nga also outlined five key priorities under Malaysia’s housing and urban agenda aligned with the SDG, including strengthening the National Affordable Housing Policy by

PETALING JAYA: The Housing and Local Government Ministry is looking to establish a Malaysia-Cambridge urban platform to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030 under the Madani economic framework. Its minister Nga Kor Ming said the proposed collaboration with the University of Cambridge would strengthen strategic partnerships with leading global institutions in promoting sustainable urban development. “Malaysia’s strong economic growth and improving global competitiveness reflect the

“It is timely for the country to step up efforts to establish strategic partnerships with the world’s top institutions,” he said in a statement. Nga said under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, Malaysia’s macroeconomic fundamentals have reached a turning point, with GDP growth of 6.3% in the final quarter of 2025 and approved investments hitting a historic RM426.7 billion. He added that Malaysia’s engagement with Cambridge reflects the government’s commitment to international

Community service for littering a lesson in responsibility KUALA LUMPUR: Community service orders (CSO) for littering are not merely punitive but serve as a form of civic education, said Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp) CEO Khalid Mohamed.

Penang council rolls out first AI chatbot GEORGE TOWN: The Penang City Council (MBPP) has made history as the first government agency in Malaysia to introduce a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, marking a milestone in the digital transformation of public services. Its Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the Gen.AI Chatbot MBPP, known as ChatMBPP, serves as a simple, fast and user-friendly digital platform operating 24 hours a day, enabling seamless interaction between the public and the local authority. He added that the chatbot is equipped with multilingual capabilities, supporting Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for users from all backgrounds. “ChatMBPP is specifically designed to handle queries related to MBPP’s city management functions, including services, procedures, public complaints, enforcement, taxation and council responsibilities. “It can provide instant responses to basic enquiries and initiate processes such as generating complaint tickets and forwarding them directly to the relevant departments for action,” he told Bernama. The chatbot, launched by Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, also provides links to additional information as well as contact details of MBPP officers and departments for further assistance. Currently in its beta testing phase, Rajendran said public feedback is crucial in helping the system learn and improve through generative AI. Meanwhile, Digital Ministry secretary general Fabian Bigar said the ministry has approved a 5G grant to support the implementation of ChatMBPP. He said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to leveraging advanced telecommunications infrastructure, particularly 5G, to power high-impact digital services. “With the high speed and low latency offered by 5G, we are confident ChatMBPP will operate optimally and deliver accurate, real-time responses to users.”

He said the initiative, carried out simultaneously across six states yesterday involving 78 offenders, forms part of an integrated enforcement strategy under the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Act 2007 (Act 672). “Through direct involvement in community work, individuals can understand that even small actions such as irresponsible littering can have significant impacts on public well-being and the quality of shared spaces. “This approach is based on restorative punishment, which not only serves as a deterrent but also provides an opportunity for rehabilitation by involving offenders directly in community activities while instilling a sense of responsibility towards environmental cleanliness,” he added. Khalid said the offenders were deployed across Perlis (5), Kedah (21), Kuala Lumpur (27), Pahang (12), Negeri Sembilan (9) and Johor (4), carrying out cleaning works at public areas including sidewalks, roads, drainage systems, public toilets and beaches. He also emphasised that to ensure safe implementation, SWCorp coordinated with the Health Ministry and the Meteorological Department, with support from district health offices, in view of the current hot weather affecting the country. “In addition, SWCorp enforcement officers closely monitor each CSO activity in strict adherence to standard operating procedures, including offender safety and welfare.” Khalid said the programme focused on comprehensive cleaning works, including sidewalks and public roads, drainage systems (scupper drains), public toilets and beach areas. “As a continuation, the fourth CSO series will involve five offenders in Perlis today, while the fifth series will involve six offenders tomorrow. “This initiative is part of the ongoing commitment by the Housing and Local Government Ministry through SWCorp to

Khalid said the initiative is part of the ongoing commitment by the ministry to strengthen governance of the nation’s solid waste management. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN strengthen governance of the nation’s solid waste management.”

RM475,666.53. “In terms of enforcement, 21 illegal dumping cases were brought to court under Act 672, resulting in total fines of RM335,000 following 4,268 intelligence operations. “The use of technology through the installation of 47 CCTV units has also strengthened enforcement efforts, successfully detecting and tracing seven illegal dumping cases back to offenders’ premises for further action.” Khalid added that from 2014 to Jan 31, 2026, a total of 192 assets have been seized, with five forfeited as part of strict measures to combat illegal solid waste disposal. “We are confident this integrated approach will enhance public awareness, cultivate responsible solid waste management practices and provide educational and rehabilitative opportunities for offenders, in line with the government’s aspiration to create a clean, beautiful and sustainable environment.” He reminded the public to comply with provisions under Act 672 to avoid legal action and to work together in maintaining the cleanliness of public areas. – by Qirana Nabilla Mohd Rashidi

He added that to date, SWCorp has issued 1,342 notices of offence (NPK) across seven states under Act 672, involving 1,058 Malaysians and 284 foreign nationals. Khalid said SWCorp has also conducted various enforcement operations to address littering, including Ops Perantau at rest and recreation (R&R) areas from March 7 to March 19, which recorded 49 NPKs across 40 operations at 19 locations as well as Ops Ambang Aidilfitri on March 20, which resulted in 36 NPKs from 26 operations at 35 locations. “At the same time, SWCorp continues to intensify enforcement through raids and arrests at identified hotspots known for irresponsible waste disposal activities, targeting offences such as illegal dumping and operations without valid licences under Act 672, particularly Sections 71(1) and 14(1),” he said. Meanwhile, he noted that in 2025 a total of 3,816 operations were carried out to eliminate and shut down illegal dumping sites nationwide, involving the removal of 1,738.5 tonnes of solid waste at a cost of