PETALING JAYA: Youth social issues can be addressed through accessible social infrastructures in city planning, says the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

       According to Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the Town and Country Planning Department’s (PLANMalaysia) Fourth National Physical Plan (RFN4) provides for more public facilities in accordance with the needs of the community.

       He said the effort is under the plan’s “liveable environment and inclusive community”.

       “The efforts include the provision of integrated public facilities according to the needs of the local community while being easily accessible. There are various types of public facilities that can be given attention to such as health and sports facilities, which can be placed under one roof,” he said yesterday.

       The minister also said the plan would benefit Malaysians as a whole, especially the people in the lower income bracket or B40.

       “These facilities were set up in collaboration between the government and the local government (PBT) to uplift liveability and for the comfort of the rakyat,” he said.

       The public facilities include integrated PBT buildings such as the Subang Jaya City Council, where a kindergarten is placed in the same building as a clinic.

       “However, the implementation of the integrated public facilities at the federal level has yet to start due to the land or lot ownership as well as rental issues,” he said.

       Reezal added that the number of green areas in any development would also be increased for social activities.

       “The focus is given by empowering green areas that are of quality, diversified and suitable for passive and active recreation,” he added.

       The RFN4, launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in November last year, spells out three core developments, 11 strategic directions and 39 actions for the people’s well-being.

       It outlines spatial development policies that are in line with the 12th Malaysia Plan, for the country to be economically, environmentally and socially resilient.

       On the Affordable House Policy 2019, Reezal said the government is also committed to ensuring a good standard of affordable housing development.

       The standard requires that every development be equipped with public facilities such as a hall, playgrounds and prayer rooms, among others.