Housing Minister Nga Kor Ming says KPKT is allocating grants to translate community ideas into urban development projects under MUF2026.
PUTRAJAYA: The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) is committed to translating innovative ideas and community aspirations into concrete action through the MUF Future City Pilot Project Grant initiative, with an allocation of RM24,000 to implement three selected pilot projects.
Its Minister Nga Kor Ming said the initiative, announced in conjunction with the Malaysia Urban Forum 2026 (MUF2026) Accelerator, aimed to develop practical solutions based on the actual needs of the community, thereby bringing direct benefits to local residents.
“Through the MUF2026 Accelerator, we are creating opportunities for residents, youths and children to turn their ideas into projects that benefit the community.
“We want to encourage local residents and young people to participate and co-create in the development of our future cities,” he said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the MUF2026 Accelerator here today.
He said the success of urban development should not be measured solely by planning or discussions, but by the implementation of ideas that could bring meaningful change to the people.
“The success of MUF2026 should not be measured by the number of sessions held or resolutions produced, but by the extent to which these ideas are translated into concrete action and bring meaningful change to the country,” he said.
Nga said that to realise the initiative, KPKT, through its agency URBANICE Malaysia, had allocated RM24,000 in grants for winners whose ideas were selected for implementation.
Of the total allocation, RM10,000 was set aside for grassroots groups, RM10,000 for youth groups and RM4,000 for children’s groups.
The projects are expected to be implemented from November until April 2027, subject to the relevant evaluation and approval processes.
“I hope this grant will not be viewed merely in terms of ringgit and sen. Its true value lies in the government’s confidence that the people’s ideas have a place in urban development.
“We want these projects to demonstrate that small ideas from the community can bring about significant change,” he said.
Nga said the MUF Future City Pilot Project Grant initiative focused on developing high-impact solutions to improve the quality of the urban environment, public amenities, environmental sustainability and residents’ well-being.
He said such an approach was important in addressing the country’s rapid urbanisation, which required more progressive, innovative and people-centred planning.
“Currently, about 76 per cent of Malaysians live in urban areas, and the urbanisation rate is projected to reach 85 per cent by 2040,” he said.
He said the increase underscored the need for comprehensive planning to ensure that physical development went hand in hand with quality infrastructure, a safe environment, conducive public amenities and improvements in the community’s standard of living.
Themed ‘Bandar Masa Hadapan yang Ingin Kami Diami’ (The Future City I Want to Call Home), the MUF2026 Accelerator brings together five key groups – women, youths, academics, grassroots communities and children – to ensure that the views of various segments of society are taken into account in shaping future cities.
Among the key outcomes targeted through the forum are the formulation of the MUF2026 Call to Action, identification of high-impact pilot projects, strengthening of strategic cooperation, and the development of implementation plans and monitoring mechanisms to assess the effectiveness and potential expansion of successful initiatives.
URBANICE Malaysia will serve as the facilitator, coordinator and monitor of the pilot projects, working with various stakeholders to ensure that the selected projects are implemented effectively and have the potential to be expanded to other urban areas.