Assalamualaikum WBT and Salam 1Malaysia,

When announcing the 10th Malaysia Plan recently, the Prime Minister outlined the Greater KL initiative as one of the key segments under the National Key Economic Area, designed to propel the country towards achieving vision 2020.

I have been given the responsibility of ensuring the success of this initiative. To make it work, a Lab was established to study the issue and to come out with workable recommendations that could fulfill the Prime Minister’s vision of Greater KL.

The Greater KL lab under Pemandu commenced on Tuesday the 2nd June and is expected to last for 8 weeks until 31st July 2010. The Lab comprises  industry experts from the civil service, consultants and individuals. Yesterday, I visited the Greater KL Lab in Kelana Jaya. Prior to this, I was briefed by the team on their scope of discussion and given status updates.

In essence, the Greater KL Lab is looking at ways to achieve economic growth while at the same time step upKL’s ranking as one the most livable city in the world. Measures that were discussed include growing per capita GNI, increasing the talent base, attracting top Multinational companies to set up base in KL, focusing on high value added sub sectors of NKEA industries.

The Lab does not just focus on infrastructure elements but also deals with issues pertaining to ways of increasing the quality of life, providing comprehensive public transportation system, increasing green areas, improving basic services for residents, a study into the viability of medium cost housing to cater for the middle income KLites.

I managed to spend time with the Lab members to test and bounce off ideas and I commended the committed Lab members for sacrificing their precious time for this cause. Some of the Lab members run their own business but manage to spend at least half a day on a daily basis to give their input at no charge!

KL is not there yet, and we have a lot of work to do before fully realizing the potential that is KL. The Greater KL is a dream that requires the buy in from all the stakeholders, especially the rakyat. Without commitment from all of us, it will remain just that – a dream.

I will keep you updated with the progress of the Lab’s findings and in the meantime I look forward to any feedback you have on making KL a better place to live.