Mega Projects, Buildings Must Consider Public Well-Being and Community Needs – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Mega projects and buildings must take into account public well-being and community needs, as failure to do so could lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the transformation of the construction industry must deliver tangible benefits to society, including the provision of affordable housing, to ensure that development efforts go hand in hand with improving the well-being of the majority of the population.

“Our focus is on development, and that is entirely appropriate. Our focus is also on growth and construction, which is certainly practical. However, if we fail to understand the needs of society, we will only invite dissatisfaction,” he said when delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony of International Construction Week 2026 here today.

Anwar expressed concern over mega projects and large-scale buildings that fail to benefit the well-being of the majority of society, highlighting the frustration experienced in many cities when community needs are largely overlooked.

Referring to the works of prominent development thinkers such as Samir Amin of Egypt and Malek Bennabi of Algeria, he said the concept of adapting development to local conditions was important to avoid blindly copying foreign urban development models.

“Yes, we must learn from and adopt best practices from both the West and the East, but we must always ensure that these approaches are suited to our own domestic and national needs. That is why we have failed to develop many cities.

“Modern urban development involves not only the construction industry but also reflects broader aspects of planning and governance. Therefore, replicating London or New York in the development of Kuala Lumpur is unreasonable because of differences in climate, environment and priorities,” he said.

He also commended the Ministry of Works for taking these needs into consideration when formulating its growth agenda, stressing that such aspects formed part of the economic framework and were not solely the responsibility of ministries overseeing the environment or economy.

Anwar said the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) had set a target of delivering 500,000 affordable homes by 2030, as part of the country’s broader aspiration to provide one million homes between 2026 and 2035.

“Technology must help us deliver these homes more efficiently without compromising safety, quality and liveability.

“I would also like to add that costs must be given attention,” he said, stressing that competitiveness must be a key consideration in the tender process.

On modular construction, Anwar said the sector’s roadmap must be supported by stronger domestic capabilities and manufacturing industries, investment, market demand, a skilled workforce, and a conducive policy and regulatory environment.

He said the approach must also take into account the quality of construction materials, building façade designs that preserve aesthetic appeal with local touches, and environmental conservation.

Otherwise, he said, the construction industry risked returning to development dominated by concrete buildings that neglected environmental quality and community well-being.

Anwar also emphasised the need to develop an ecosystem that would enable companies not merely to become users of modular technology but also to participate actively in its development, production and commercialisation.

He said the construction sector must consider technology, costs, environmental conservation and aesthetics, rather than focusing solely on constructing buildings.

BERNAMA