By : Iskandar Fareez
Guided by the ‘MADANI Economy framework’ and three focus areas of ‘Reinvigorating the Economy, Driving Reforms, Prospering the Rakyat’, Belanjawan 2025 incorporates right measures to breath new life into the ‘soul’ of Kuala Lumpur (KL).
This involves a combination of allocations designed to climate-proof, preserve culture and heritage, develop talent capacity, as well as improve connectivity and quality of life within our capital city. By getting the right balance, we can fully realise KL’s potential as an ideal place to live, work, play, and more.
Among notable measures announced today include RM10 million allocated to conduct a Geotechnical Study of Soil Layers on main roads around the KL Golden Triangle to address potential recurrence of tragic sinkhole incidences, RM150 million for drain cleaning and river dredging in flood-hit areas, RM600 million to NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) forflood preparations, and RM20 million in matching grants GLIC Foundation (government-linked investment companies) and GLCs (government-linked companies) as part of a whole-government approach to support victims in flood-hit areas.
In terms of heritage preservation, the RM600 million allocation to restore landmarks such as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and Carcosa Seri Negara, is in line with the larger ambition to turn Downtown KL into a creative and culture district enjoyed by many. Creating connectors between places of interest with public green spaces such as the multi-storey bridge connecting Taman Botani Perdana with Carcosa Seri Negara and similar projects would encourage residents and tourists to discover our city by foot. Combined with measures outlined to improve public transport connectivity that will improve walkability, a successful implementation could begin to shift our society’s mindset to envision future where we can attract footfall to open shared spaces for recreational and economic purposes, moving away from the obsession we have with shopping malls today.
For economic empowerment, especially youths, the government had announced several key measures that further diversify the pathways to success through development of skills-based professions. In general, the budget outlined measures including RM7.8 billion to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), RM30 million for MADANI Creative Youth Programme, and RM100 million to upgrade hawker centres, food stalls, and markets.
All-in-all, Belanjawan 2025 exemplifies the MADANI government relentless commitment to uplift the lives and livelihoods as the administration is set surpass its two-year mark.
Iskandar Fareez is currently the Publicity Secretary of DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur and the Chief of DAPSY Bukit Bintang. He is also the Deputy Chief of Angkatan Muda Harapan Federal Territory.
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