Bilangan 03/2008 - Ministry of Housing and Local Government

BULETIN KPKT 2008
WORLD HABITAT DAY CELEBRATION 2008
Harmonious Cities
As the national focal point for UN-Habitat related activities, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Malaysia, undertakes
numerous activities in tandem with Malaysia’s pledge as a signatory to the Habitat Agenda. One of the programmes undertaken
by the government in terms of promotion is vis a vis the World Habitat Day celebration. This year, programmes undertaken by
the Ministry focus on achieving the objectives of the theme for 2008, which is Harmonious Cities.
The concept of Harmonious Cities addresses issues such as rapid urbanisation, poverty, growth of human slums and etc. One
of the solutions for rapid urbanisation is sustainable development. As such, the Ministry believes it to be prudent to undertake
programmes highlighting on this mode of solution. Programmes which were organised to realize sustainable development and
harmonious cities are:
1. Article writing competition (28 August – 24 November 2008)
Topics:
(i) Improvement measures which can be undertaken
to resolve the dissatisfactory level of public cleansing
in the country
(ii) Mitigating poverty to realize the goal of harmonious cities
(iii) Resolving issues of rapid urbanisation.
2. Photography competition (28 August – 15 October 2008)
Theme - Harmonious Cities
3. Oration/ Speech Competition (5 November 2008)
Topic – Our Youth, Our Future
4. Roundtable discussion (5 November 2008)
Topics:
(i) Role of Family Development
(ii) Interfaith
(iii) Criminologist Point of View, Towards Harmonious Cities
(iv) Living Harmoniously with Environment
(v) Place Attachment and Sustainability of Urban Place
Identity.
5. Seminar “The Way Forward in Sustainability and
Harmonious Cities” (5-7 November 2008)
6. Forum Perdana Hal Ehwal Islam (31 July 2008)
7. Friday Prayer Sermon (7 November 2008)
Topic: Perancangan Ke Arah Kemampanan
Resolutions drafted as a result from the seminar and roundtable discussion will be used as a guide for the government to
consider in formulating relevant policies in addressing relevant issues.
On the issue of poverty and the growth of human slums, the Ministry provides adequate housing for the lower income group. This
programme is called the People’s Housing Programme (PHP), whereby the lower income group is provided with a 3 bedroom
apartment with rental costing only MYR 123.00 (USD 34.30) per month. Meanwhile, for those in poverty, the government would
exempt them from rental. The Harmonious Community Programme organised in conjunction with the World Habitat Day
celebration is very apt in addressing the collaborative efforts of the government, the private sector and the public in achieving
harmony in the city. Among the side programmes of the Harmonious Community Programme are
1. Fire Prevention Demonstration
2. Coloring Competition For Children
3. Tree Planting Campaign
4. Recycling Exhibition
5. Telly Match.
The primary objective of this programme is the collective implementation and awareness of these programmes involving
government agencies, the private sector and the public.
In conclusion, programmes organised by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government is parallel with the objectives of the World
Habitat Day celebration 2008 and is also in line with the theme of Harmonious Cities. On the micro level, individual programmes
organised have effectively reached out to a fi nite number of participants. However, promotion of these programmes to the
mass media has resulted in the promotion of awareness at the national or macro-level. This two-prong strategy proved to be
benefi cial as the promotion of programmes via word of mouth of participants and the general public would reinforce their level
awareness on their roles and responsibilities.
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KPKT TERBARU RAJ.indd 3
1/29/2009 4:04:42 PM