The government will prioritise affordable housing on land near Shah Alam Line stations to cut urban living costs and boost transit use.
KLANG: The government will prioritise the rapid development of affordable housing on land along the Shah Alam Line corridor, in a move aimed at optimising transit-linked land use and reducing urban living costs.
The initiative focuses on strategic parcels around stations along the line, with plans to transform underutilised land and large parking areas into integrated housing and mixed-use developments through public-private partnerships.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said several station-adjacent sites, including large park-and-ride facilities, have been identified as immediate candidates for redevelopment.
He cited the Seri Andalas station as an example, where a 500-bay parking facility occupies a sizeable tract of land that could be better utilised.
“Rail lines that pass through certain areas should be developed in coordination with the government.
“However, if we only use it as a parking space, it would be a waste of land. The value of that land can be further developed.
“Not only to benefit Prasarana, but more importantly to stimulate surrounding development,” he said.
Loke said the ministry is seeking a mandate for Prasarana to accelerate transit-oriented development along selected Shah Alam Line stations, particularly for affordable housing.
“We are requesting a mandate so that Prasarana can accelerate this development process, especially for housing.
“Affordable housing for urban residents, so that they can live near public transport stations, which will also make it easier for them to travel,” he said.
He added that the objective is to enable residents to live within walking distance of stations, reducing reliance on private vehicles and easing congestion along the Klang, Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya corridor served by the line.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his speech, backed the proposal, saying station-adjacent land should be fully optimised for rakyat housing and supporting commercial activities.
He said large parking areas near Shah Alam Line stations should be redeveloped with a mix of affordable housing and small-scale commercial units, while still ensuring sufficient parking capacity is retained.
“In Kuala Lumpur already there are plans. Areas where MRT stations are located should be developed in-situ, subject to strict conditions.
“I do not think five-star housing should be built there. What should be prioritised is rakyat housing and also small and medium-scale shops for small traders and entrepreneurs,” he said.
Anwar said such developments would reduce commuting costs, improve access to the Shah Alam Line and generate better returns from strategic government-linked land assets.
“This area by itself reduces travel costs, facilitates the use of public transport, and certainly provides better commercial returns. Most importantly is rakyat housing, which must be given priority,” he said.
He also instructed the Transport Ministry, Finance Ministry, Prasarana and relevant local authorities, including the Selangor state government, to expedite approvals and implementation.
“Sometimes approvals that should take two weeks or two months become eight months. This is something we must fix,” he said, calling for faster delivery of public housing projects.
Anwar urged that at least one pilot project along the corridor be implemented swiftly to demonstrate improved approval and construction timelines.
