Dewan Rakyat passes Town and Country Planning Bill 2016

The Dewan Rakyat on Thursday passed the Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill 2016 which makes it compulsory for any physical development plan to get the advice of the National Physical Planning Council (MPFN).

The bill was passed after block voting, with 63 MPs agreeing and 51 others against.

Earlier, during winding-up, Urban Well-being, Housing, and Local Government Minister, Tan Sri Noh Omar said the amendments will allow all major projects to be discussed at the MPFN platform.

The discussion would be better coordinated, and involve the state and federal governments.

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Noh said the bill would require a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) to be conducted which would benefit the public.

"This is so that all problems and protests from the public at the implementation stage will be given early attention."

Sitting resumes today for the tabling of Budget 2017 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. -- BERNAMA