PM Anwar launches Malaysia's fifth National Physical Plan and third National Urbanisation Policy
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched the fifth National Physical Plan (RFN5) and third National Urbanisation Policy (DPN3) on Nov 4. RFN5 sets land-use priorities to 2040, including an 85% urbanisation target, while DPN3 focuses on affordable housing and safer cities by 2035.
PETALING JAYA (Nov 4) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched Malaysia's fifth National Physical Plan (RFN5) and third National Urbanisation Policy (DPN3) on Wednesday at the national World Town Planning Day celebration at Dewan Sivik MBPJ in Petaling Jaya. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government said both documents had been approved at the 51st National Physical Planning Council meeting.
According to the ministry's fact sheet, RFN5 sets out 13 priorities, including planning for an urbanisation rate of 85 per cent by 2040, strengthening efforts to retain 50 per cent of land under forest use and integrating transit-oriented development into urban planning. It also calls for protecting areas important to food security and using nature-based measures to improve climate resilience. The plan calls for studies on a possible high-speed rail alignment linking southern, central and northern Malaysia, and identifies the West Coast Expressway alignment as a potential catalyst for a new development corridor along the west coast.
RFN5 covers Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Labuan. For Sarawak, its scope is limited to coordinating high-level planning information and addressing strategic cross-border matters. DPN3 sets out 22 policy statements, 44 strategies and 90 actions to improve urban liveability and resilience, with priorities also including fostering a fair employment ecosystem.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said in his prepared remarks that residents judge urban planning by how easily they can reach public facilities, make daily trips and use public spaces safely. He said planners should account for the needs of older people and persons with disabilities so they can live independently.
The ministry said 52 awards and recognitions were presented under the Malaysia Urban Planning Awards 2026. Eco Majestic was the sole platinum recipient under the 2026 smart township ratings. Gamuda Gardens, Setia EcoHill, Eco Botanic and Cyberjaya received gold ratings. Putrajaya Corporation was the sole recipient of Bandar Pintar Unggul, the highest of the three smart city rating tiers awarded this year. Tangkak District Council received the Anugerah Perdana Bandar Mampan Madani 2026, while Petaling Jaya City Council and Kuala Lumpur City Hall received special awards for Sustainable Development Goals 11 and 16, respectively.
