Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed that underutilised land surrounding stations along the LRT Shah Alam Line be developed for public infrastructure projects, with an emphasis on affordable housing and facilities for small businesses.
Speaking at the launch of the Shah Alam Line in Johan Setia today, Anwar said priority must be given to developments that directly benefit the public, rather than high-end commercial projects.
He highlighted the need to optimise large tracts of land around stations, including extensive parking areas, for mixed-use development. “I was interested in the Transport Minister’s proposal that large areas, such as the sizeable parking spaces we see, should be fully utilised,” he said.
“In Kuala Lumpur, there are already plans in place. Areas with large MRT stations should be developed, subject to strict conditions, which I do not dispute.
“But at the very least, those areas should be developed with adequate parking and people’s housing. I do not think five-star housing should be built there,” he added.
Anwar said station-area development would help reduce daily commuting costs by enabling people to live closer to public transport networks, improving accessibility and convenience for commuters. He added that integrated planning of this nature would also encourage greater use of the LRT system while generating better commercial returns from surrounding developments.
“Therefore, I want the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, together with the Ministry of Finance and Prasarana, to expedite this development to ensure speed and efficiency in the transport system,” he said.
The Prime Minister also noted that although the land is currently owned by Prasarana Malaysia Berhad, its board should carefully review how best to utilise these assets. He stressed that strategically located land in high-traffic areas should not be left idle.
The proposal is part of broader efforts to strengthen transit-oriented development around rail infrastructure in urban and suburban areas, including Kuala Lumpur and surrounding growth corridors.
Officials from the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance are expected to work with Prasarana Malaysia Berhad to coordinate the planning and implementation of the initiative.
