In recent months, the residents of Klang Valley witnessed a couple of incidents that highlight the challenges faced by its infrastructure to support normal day-to-day social and economic activities. The first was the disruption of water supply to about 1 million residents. The second was the flash flood affecting Kuala Lumpur. The fact that these incidences are not one-off events, but are happening with increasing regularity, bring into question the robustness of Malaysia’s infrastructure delivery mechanism. This is particularly acute in a region that represents the economic engine of the country where 40% to Malaysia’s GDP is generated.
The Importance of Infrastructure
The quality of infrastructure is a reflection of more than just a nation’s physical development. It has shown to be directly correlated to its economic development. The inability of infrastructure in the Klang Valley region to cope with developments will undoubtedly impact its future economic progress. Subsequently, this cascades down to the economic and social well-being of its residents. The impact could last much longer than the sight of the politicians, planners and policy makers; and deeper than mere inconveniences to businesses and the residents. If happens too often, and it is increasingly so, these will ultimately impact the desirability of Klang Valley as a place to live and do business.
Investors and businesses look for stable, predictable and uninterrupted environments to do business. These incidences will add to the cost of doing business and losses in productivity – not phrases investors like to hear. Without investments, job creation will undoubtedly be more challenging.
These events are a symptom of a wider problem and stress in the infrastructure service delivery in the country, indirectly caused by a combination of underinvestment in the infrastructure and utilities, over-development and more erratic climate. While there is no magic pill to improve infrastructure delivery services, it is very possible to do so by focusing on a few areas.
Infrastructure Planning & Governance
Firstly, is to improve infrastructure planning and governance. Governance in this instance encompass both regulations and enforcement. The functions of the government agencies involved in each aspect of infrastructure delivery must be reviewed to eliminate overlaps, and to identify gaps in the planning and governance. In addition, the governance framework should be strengthened, for example, to empower the right agencies with the enforcement powers and ensure the enforcement are carried out, transparently.
The planners will also need to take into account the threat of changing weather patterns caused by global warming. There are evidences of more severe weather patterns, and as such, the infrastructure should cater sufficiently to these changes. As such, a robust and comprehensive plan must be put in place to address the issues in place, be it water supply, drainage, transport or any other infrastructure you can think of. The carefully formulated plan must then be adhered to.
Building is Important, but Maintainence is Key
Secondly, invest in building and, more importantly, maintaining the infrastructure. These investments may come in the form of government or private funding. However, every large-scale project should undergo proper assessment from a technical, commercial and financial perspective prior to a decision on the project being implemented. If private investments were to be considered, the structuring of these projects will need to be carefully considered to ensure the best outcome for the public and other stakeholders.
Public Participation
Lastly, enhance public education on the importance of our infrastructure, the cost of providing such infrastructure services, and how the public can help keep these assets in good functioning order. Most times, infrastructure services are taken for granted until they are not available. This is a result from the lack of awareness on the importance and how the public can play in helping to maintain and keep the cost of infrastructure delivery low. For example, the public may not be aware of the impact of debris and rubbish on the drainage system and the impairment of the water flow they cause. They may also not be aware of the impact of water wastage on the marginal cost to supply water. The public is a key partner in maintaining and in the efficient use of these assets. Well, they are the ultimate beneficiary of it.
Delivering an excellent infrastructure service at reasonable cost is not impossible. It will be, if we do not do the right things.