Bersatu MP slams 'narcissistic' branding of Kota Madani project

Summary

• Wan Saiful Wan Jan accuses the government of narcissistic branding for naming a Putrajaya development “Kota Madani”, urging a name change to avoid potentially wasting public funds.

• The Bersatu MP calls for an end to using administrative slogans in government initiatives, warning such practices lack longevity and burden future administrations.

• He urges PM Anwar Ibrahim’s administration to break from past habits and adopt sustainable, politically neutral naming to reflect public ownership of state-funded projects.

Putrajaya’s use of “Madani” in a government project has come under fire, with Bersatu lawmaker Wan Saiful Wan Jan accusing the administration of “narcissistic” branding that will end up wasting public funds.

In particular, the Tasek Gelugor MP urged the government to come up with a different name for the Kota Madani project, a high-density vertical township part of major urban developments in Putrajaya.

Calling for an end to the practice of using administrative slogans as names for government initiatives, Wan Saiful highlighted the potential waste in public funds when such labellings have to be changed under a new administration.

“How much of the people’s money has to be wasted when government slogans change and the labelling is also changed?

“Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as well as all current and future leaders, must not be narcissists. A leader’s narcissistic nature will only waste public funds because the real cost will be borne by the people,” Wan Saiful said.

He insisted that it would be better to use sustainable branding and names that do not necessarily have to change even when the administration changes for government-led projects.

“Government funds do not belong to individual leaders. They belong to the people, including those who do not support that leader.

“So, when public money is spent, it must reflect ownership across political beliefs,” he added.

He also said that while the government may fall back on the “usual script” of blaming past administrations, the current leadership must break the cycle and correct past mistakes.

“What is the point of being a leader if wrong practices of the past are to be continued?” he questioned.

Supporting community welfare

Yesterday, Anwar said Kota Madani aims to provide integrated and centralised basic facilities to support community welfare, with some planned developments including vertical schools as well as technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions.

The prime minister also said that financial institutions, health clinics, fire stations, police stations and mosques will be built near the residential areas.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa noted that the project, which covers 41.28ha, will provide 10,000 residential units to accommodate over 30,000 residents.

She added that the city would integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology, advanced digital infrastructure, and green mobility systems to form the foundation for a low-carbon, sustainable and safe urban environment.

The groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place on June 26.

Govt's decisions based on thorough study, Mat Sabu says over subsidy cuts

Not inviting Rafizi, Nik Nazmi, Zafrul, but can team up in Parliament - PN

URA to uplift lives trapped in dilapidated housing, PM reiterates