I want to congratulate City Hall for putting up a comprehensive structure plan to make KL a world-class city. It is quite a voluminous document and therefore requires some time to digest.

I am particularly interested to know whether there would be any change in the implementation strategy to avoid the deplorable conditions in the Malay Reserve Areas (MLRs) such as in Kampung Baru and Gombak, in terms of the infrastructure and basic amenities.

Paragraph 180 of the plan says "these were created under circumstances that are no longer relevant to their present urban concept. The layout, pattern of land ownership and basic infrastructural provision reflect their original land use as predominantly agricultural small holdings.

Consequently, these areas are characterised by poor infrastructure and a deteriorating urban fabric that lags far behind the rest of the city. In order to make sure that these areas can survive and contribute to the life of the city, measures need to be taken to encourage and facilitate residential and commercial development."

What I would like to know is how the 'encouragement and facilitation' is to be carried out by City Hall? Unless there is a drastic change in policy with regards to the financing of basic infrastructure in these MLRs, the visions of the KLSP 2020 will remain a mirage.

As we all know, City Hall will always insist on contributions by the landowners if they want to develop their land.

Even after a sub-division is completed, where the owner is required to surrender a large percentage of his land area gratis for access roads and open space requirements to City Hall, his access to an existing basic infrastructure may still take years to come, particularly if the land is a bit out of the way.

Unless it is elaborated somewhere in the KLSP 2020, I am still doubtful the fate of the MRLs will change, even after 2020.