Category: Development EN

More than half a century ago, Malaysia embarked on an ambitious housing mission to move the urban poor out of squatter settlements and into homes with access to basic necessities such as water, sanitation and proper infrastructure. The efforts would eventually become one of the country’s development success stories, helping to sharply reduce urban poverty while avoiding the sprawling slums...

The cost-of-living crisis is partly a result of decades of car-centric planning that make car ownership an expensive necessity while eroding public space and affordable alternatives. For most Malaysians, the gap between income and living costs is growing. And if you want to know where much of that missing money goes, look no further than the family car. For decades, Malaysian cities (especially...

“Mankind invented the atomic bomb, but no mouse would ever construct a mousetrap.” This observation strikes at the heart of the paradox of human intelligence: we possess the unique capacity to innovate tools for our own destruction. Animals act to survive, not to destroy their own kind. A mouse builds a nest strictly for protection and breeding. It would never construct a tool designed to...

The oil supply shortage is a global issue, and Malaysia cannot continue sustaining its RON95 and diesel subsidies indefinitely. It was reported in early March 2026 that the government was subsidising RM3.2 billion per month, but by April 2026 this had risen to more than RM6 billion per month. Even at RM3.2 billion per month, the subsidy would cost the government close to RM40 billion per year,...

The Karpal Singh Drive residents' action group has called on the Penang’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to investigate how a RM1bn Jelutong landfill rehabilitation project gained a 70-acre coastal reclamation component not found in the winning 2016 proposal, while key approval conditions were repeatedly extended. The Protect Karpal Singh Drive Action Committee (ProtectKarpal), operating...

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) supports the Penang state government’s decision to evict ineligible tenants from public housing where there is clear evidence of violations or abuse of the terms and conditions under the People’s Housing Programme (PPR), administered by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. It must be clearly understood that PPR tenancies are contractual...

The Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP) calls on the government to investigate recurring disruptions at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), particularly those affecting the aerotrain and baggage handling systems. These incidents raise legitimate concerns about the effectiveness of maintenance and asset management practices. While such failures may indicate shortcomings in preventive...

The reprimand by Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah over the persistent flood situation in Selangor should not be viewed as an isolated concern, but as a national wake up call for all state governments across Malaysia. Flooding has become an increasingly frequent and severe challenge in many parts of the country, from urban centres to rural communities. Despite repeated assurances, budget...

In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Malaysia dated 13 April, 57 organisations, representing a diverse groups of Malaysian society sent a very strong message, opposing the agreement by Lynas Rare Earths Ltd to supply rare earth oxides to the United States Department of War . They said that “this arrangement, valued at approximately USD96 million over four years, directly links...

Germany Transforms Discarded Toilets, Sinks and Broken Tiles into Stronger Roads In Germany, waste items like broken toilets and ceramic tiles are being reused in a way that benefits both infrastructure and the environment. These discarded materials are crushed into small particles and added into road construction. This method not only improves road quality but also reduces waste and supports...