I was talking about civic consciousness and upolding cleanliness in my last entry.

Today, a reader posted a letter to the Star today and talk about Ipoh. It was once the most cleanest city in Malaysia. Today, Ipoh is a far cry from its former glory.

Rapid industrialization coupled with fierce competition to woo in big time investors to set up operations in the state has made the city into a pollution catchment area.

There is nothing wrong with wooing investors. There is nothing wrong with bringing money into the city and state to grow and develop the economy.

The problem is when there is no cohesive, comprehensive, and vision to develop the city and state. And many cities in Malaysia have become a victim of sub-standard urban planning, poor enforcement, and the “tak apa” mentality.

Look at our towns, cities, and housing estates. Compare USJ and Kajang. or Damansara and Cheras. Where one area thrives on proper planning, the other suffers. Roads are riddled with potholes and cracks, road signs are missing, roads are unleveled, landscapping is a joke!

Housing estates, offices, and industries are scattered all over the place. How can this be? Why should it be this way? It all goes down to the mayor and his team.

Problem in Malaysia is that local councils are not elected by the people, but are elected by political parties. Do you think then, that these elected councils would have the best interest of the people at hand? Figuring that their contract would end in 3 or 4 years, I think they opt to cash in as much money as they can. So when all they care about is money, proper town planning and urban upkeep becomes a policy that is kept behind a cupboard full of other policies collecting dust. And the vicious cycle continues.

So it begs the question, does development have to come with a huge sacrifice? Must development equate to raping pristine green jungles, polluting rivers and the air, and declining health conditions?

Developing countries can learn from the mistakes of developed nations. During the industrialization era, development was done irresponsibly by destroying the natural surroundings. And because of the very selfish act of those people back then, todays generation are suffering.

Does this have to go on? Definately NOT! Sustainable development should be the theme and top priority for any form of physical development. In this regard, any form of development must thoroughly consider the impact to the environment such as managing waste, using renewable energy sources, reducing pollutants, recycling pollutants or making it safe to be disposed. Development should also consider the socio-economic impact, urban planning impact and health impact.

I strongly urge local councils, the government, and private entititiest to adopt the principles of sustainable development. Local governments should adopt and uphold the principles of sustainable urban planning.

A city or state developed responsibly with the true spirit of sustainable development will in the end become more prosperous as health and wealth is direcly proportionate.

Iqbal

ps: You can read the article “Ipoh needs a new image” here.