KUALA LUMPUR: As for Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Fuad Ismail, the timeline has been set for Kuala Lumpur to emerge as a world class city nine years from now.

The city's administrators are working to improve Kuala Lumpur's ranking from 79 to 20th by 2020 to be within the list of world class cities.

Ahmad Fuad when met at the Wisma Radio, Angkasapuri, recently after going on air with KL FM radio to promote the 2011 Federal Territory (FT) Day celebration envisioned that as a world class city Kuala Lumpur will be at par with cities like Melbourne (Australia), Vancouver (Canada) and Vienna (Austria).

"The three cities are our ideal benchmark. The surroundings are beautiful, clean and safe. In attaining all these, we have to study the character of the respective cities."

"However, at DBKL level, we have indicators implemented by the Town Planning Department. While for the government, the indicators are at the international level. Therefore, in areas not within DBKL's jurisdiction we have to cooperate with the respective parties," explained Mohd Fuad.

Kuala Lumpur is celebrating its 37th year as a Federal Territory.

The economic capital remains vibrant and DBKL, the organisation entrusted with the city's administration, shoulders a big responsibility in making the city a conducive place to live, work and play.

Mohd Fuad, however, noted that in achieving this goal, DBKL calls for the participation of all stakeholders in the city, including its citizens. In fact Kuala Lumpur's well being depends on the earnestness of its citizens in striving for a world class city recognition.

"If we are to see KL Clean, Safe and Green, its citizens too should play a part. We have to work together to set the goals for the KL today and KL tomorrow."

According to Mohd Fuad, if the basics like cleanliness is not adhered too, it is difficult to attract outsiders to the city.

He provided China as an example on how the cities in the mainland transformed in 15 years. Though it is a communist state, China has transformed especially in cleanliness, tourism and its economy as well.

"The same goes to Thailand and Indonesia. Singapore is far ahead and its cleanliness and landscape help to allure visitors. KLites should change their mentality and shoulder the responsibility together, there should not be vandalism and insecurity. It is not that we don't have police or enforcement authorities, our mentality is the stumbling block. The media too should play a positive role to exude a positive image," commented Mohd Fuad on the irresponsible attitude of certain city dwellers.

Apart from this, one of the key components of DBKL's master plan to develop KL is further improving communication both transportation and ICT. The Greater KL will see a modern public transportation system ferrying 1.2 billion people daily. The MRT earmarked to be ready by 2016 is set to change KL's landscape.

According to last year's statistics, the car-dweller ratio is 1:3.9, for almost every four person there is a car.

"We want the public transportation system to be fully utilised and used as fast, safe and efficient mode. Each day, about two million cars are driven into Kuala Lumpur. It is hoped that with better public transportation system, traffic jams and other related woes can be overcome.

"We also provide the park and ride facility and encourage consumers to use public transportation. That is why LRT and MRT services are provided in highly congested areas," he added.

According to Mohd Fuad, KLites would also be enjoying covered walkways that connect public transport stations and buildings.

On ICT development, when compared with nations like South Korea and Singapore, Malaysia is still lagging.

"Hopefully there will not be a situation where nations that were left behind one day overtake Malaysia, though we are the ones who started MSC long time ago."

DBKL has already made it a prerequisite for developers in KL to provide the facility.

Developers have to provide broadband facilities offered by service providers like TM, Celcom or Maxis within and without buildings.

In fact, DBKL is also calling on restaurants to provide the same facility and they have been given a grace period until end of the year to implement this. This is in line with what has been implemented by Communication and Multimedia Commission (SKMM).

"SKMM's proposal will be incorporated in DBKL's development plans," explained Mohd Fuad.

He also touched on the implementation of the Green Technology in new buildings coming up in KL, based on the Platinum, Gold and Silver standards.

In conjunction with the 2011 FT Day, DBKL for the first time will be holding the Kuala Lumpur World Inter-city Invitational 2011-KKLWII 2011 football tournament from Feb 16 to 19. The four cities taking part are Isfahan (Iran), Melbourne (Australia), Bandung (Indonesia) and DBKL's amateur team that will represent Kuala Lumpur.

"The tournament is seen as a medium to foster ties between the participating cities. I hope that the tournament will turn out to be an annual event with more cities participating," explained Ahmad Fuad.

For those who are keen to obtain tickets for the match they can go to www.klintercity.com.

Ahmad Fuad also welcomed KLites to join hands in celebrating FT Day events that would be held throughout the month, with 14 events being lined up.

Among the events are free rides on the Hop On Hop Off (1Feb) buses for KLites, opportunity to try the Flight Simulator, Explorace, Tug of War, Disabled Sports (12-13 Feb), Indian cultural representation (19 Feb), FT Run (20 Feb), Fishing in Taman Tasik Titiwangsa(26-27 Feb) and the Islamic Affairs Forum. — Bernama

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