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PUTRAJAYA (June 19): The Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) will continue to strengthen efforts to improve the quality of life of the people through the efficient and effective delivery of services in addressing the challenges of urbanisation, climate change and technological developments.
Deputy Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu (pictured) said aspects often regarded as trivial, such as neighbourhood cleanliness, the condition of public markets, road and drainage conditions, management of public spaces and urban planning, are in fact fundamental to community well-being.
She said all these elements form an ecosystem of daily life that reflects the effectiveness of governance and the government's service delivery to the people.
"Housing is not merely the physical structure of a building, but symbolises dignity, security and a sense of belonging. Local governance is not merely an administrative process, but reflects trust, responsibility and leadership," she said.
She said this during the official visit of 13 international students enrolled in the Intensive Malay Language Proficiency Course at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to the ministry here today.
Aiman Athirah said that in an era of rapid urbanisation, governments at all levels must be agile, people-centred and forward-looking to ensure public services remain relevant to current needs.
She said emerging challenges, including climate change, digitalisation, economic pressures and demographic shifts, require development approaches that are not only efficient but also inclusive and sustainable.
Aiman Athirah also said language proficiency and cultural understanding are becoming increasingly important in strengthening mutual understanding among societies from different countries as the world faces geopolitical challenges and rapid technological developments.
She said the ability to understand another country's language and culture is no longer a luxury, but a significant necessity in today's landscape.
"The ability to understand other languages and cultures creates space for empathy, reduces misunderstandings and broadens opportunities for new forms of cooperation based on mutual understanding and respect," she said.
She said language proficiency enables a person to understand the thought structures and value systems of a society, including how social norms are formed, differences managed and relationships built on the principles of respect and consensus.
Aiman Athirah said the presence of international students learning the Malay language demonstrates that the language remains relevant as a medium of knowledge and a vehicle for strengthening ties between countries.
The visit involved 13 students from Moscow, who are pursuing a dual-degree programme involving Kyunghee University in Seoul and the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow.
The programme also included briefings on local government administration and field visits to the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), the Sepang Municipal Council, a dragon fruit farm, as well as Sirip Biru Jetty and Bagan Lalang Beach, to provide a comprehensive overview of KPKT's role not only at the policy level but also in delivering comprehensive services that impact the lives of the people.
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