New projects should include long-term maintenance plans, says Hannah Yeoh

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 — Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said governments needed to devote more attention and resources to maintaining existing public facilities, adding that the long-term costs of upkeep should be factored into decisions on new developments.

Speaking at the launch of Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Week (KLSW) today, she said the challenge was not merely constructing new amenities, but ensuring they could continue serving the public years after completion.

According to The Star, Yeoh said proposals for new developments should be accompanied by clear plans for their long-term maintenance.

“When people bring proposals to me and talk about creating something new, I am always more concerned about the budget required to maintain it,” she said.

Yeoh said Malaysia’s weather conditions could accelerate the deterioration of buildings, parks and other public infrastructure if maintenance was neglected.

“If there is no plan to sustain and maintain them, it will all go to waste. That is why it is important for the government to look into our spending priorities,” she said.

She said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Federal Territories Department were focusing on maintaining green spaces and strengthening flood mitigation measures as part of efforts to improve sustainability in the capital.

Yeoh added that investments in infrastructure and heritage conservation would be undermined without adequate flood prevention measures.

Referring to the ongoing conservation of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, she said preservation efforts needed to be supported by flood mitigation planning.

“However, if we do not have a flood mitigation plan for that area, it will mean nothing and we will end up spending all over again if it gets flooded,” she said.