State looks to expedite care home approvals under Speed Selangor — Exco

LocalPolitics
22 Feb 2025 • 9:00 AM MYT
Media Selangor (EN)
Media Selangor (EN)

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By Danial Dzulkifly

SHAH ALAM, Feb 22 — The state administration is considering streamlining approval processes under the Speed Selangor initiative by introducing a special category for facilities for the elderly, children, and people with disabilities (PWDs) facilities in response to concerns over the limited number of care homes.

State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari said talks would be held with her local government counterpart, Dato’ Ng Suee Lim, to explore expanding Speed Selangor’s scope to include care homes.

“I will further discuss with the state executive councillor for local government the possibility of expanding the categories under this policy to streamline planning permission applications for care centres, including those for senior citizens, PWD, and children,” she said during her wind-up speech at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.

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State executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari addresses the Selangor State Legislative Assembly at Wisma DNS, Shah Alam, on February 21, 2025. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/MEDIA SELANGOR

Speed Selangor currently applies only to industrial and residential developments, reducing the processing time from 14 weeks to two.

As for guidelines governing care homes, Anfaal said all local councils must comply with the Physical Planning Guidelines for the Elderly issued by PLANMalaysia, the Town and Country Planning Department, which assists in the development of retirement homes, care centres, and special housing for senior citizens.

She said the Selangor government is finalising the state’s PWD Policy and Action Plan 2025-2030, prioritising disabled-friendly infrastructure and caregiver support.

She added that the policy is to be launched by June.