People’s ideas to fuel Penang’s 2035 Local Plan

The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has commenced a month-long early publicity and public participation programme for the 2035 Local Plan (Island) Draft (DRTPP2035).

This initiative aims to inform the public about state developments and seek valuable feedback on proposed initiatives, emphasising the importance of community involvement in shaping the state’s future.

Public participation at the heart of decision-making

Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, the Chairman of the State Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee, highlighted the significance of the early publicity programme in ensuring that the public and key stakeholders are well-informed participants in the state’s development plans towards 2035.

The programme is designed to facilitate accurate decision-making for the greater good of the people while advancing Penang towards a smarter, greener, and harmonious state.

H’ng stressed the prioritisation of the people’s needs in the formulation of the Local Plan, aligning it with existing state policies like the Penang2030 vision and the Penang Structure Plan 2030.

He encouraged active participation from the public and relevant stakeholders to contribute to the development of the Local Plan.

Understanding 2035 Local Plan, guiding the future

The early publicity programme, running from January 23 to February 29, is being conducted at four locations: the Town Hall, Southwest District and Land Office, Queensbay Mall, and Komtar (Level 3).

This widespread outreach ensures accessibility for a diverse range of participants, enabling them to engage with the proposed initiatives and provide valuable feedback.

MBPP mayor Datuk A. Rajendran, during the programme launch at the Town Hall in Jalan Padang Kota Lama, emphasised that another round of publicity programmes for the Local Plan Draft will be conducted before seeking approval from the state government.

This iterative approach underscores the commitment to transparent and inclusive decision-making.

Mohd Bashir Sulaiman, MBPP Town Planning director, took the opportunity during the programme launch to provide a comprehensive explanation of the early publicity programme.

This step-by-step explanation ensures that the public and stakeholders understand the objectives and processes involved, fostering a sense of transparency and clarity.

The early publicity and public participation programme for the 2035 Local Plan (Island) Draft exemplify the commitment of the Penang Island City Council and the State Government to inclusive governance.

By actively involving the public and stakeholders in the decision-making process, the initiative seeks to create a development plan that accurately reflects the needs and aspirations of the community.

The multi-location approach during the month-long programme ensures broad outreach, inviting diverse perspectives to contribute to Penang’s future as a smarter, greener, and harmonious state.

Source: Buletin Mutiara