KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian government will strive to create job opportunities and develop industries on the outskirt of urban areas to ease congestion, a Malaysian official said here on Monday.

    Malaysian Housing and Local Government Minister Kong Cho Ha told a press conference after opening the World Habitat Day 2009 and World Town Planning Day 2009 that the move would lower the urbanization rate in the country.

    Kong said that Malaysia's urbanization rate had risen from 55.1percent in 1995 to 61.8 percent in 2000 and was expected to hit 75percent in 2020, bringing along various challenges to the Malaysian government.

    Following the suburban-to-urban migration, Kong said the Malaysian government would have to deal with issues such as urban congestion, environment pollution and economy instability.

    While the migration of people could not be stopped, the Malaysian government would also have to ensure that sufficient infrastructure was provided for the well-being of the urban residents, added Kong.

    When asked about immediate measures the Malaysian government has in mind to ease urban congestion, Kong said his ministry had drawn up guidelines on building safe cities.

    Kong also said that matters pertaining to crime prevention, flash-flood avoidance and smooth traffic flow were well covered in the guidelines, adding that the most important element was that all stakeholders comply with them.

    The World Habitat Day 2009 fell on Oct. 5 this year with the theme "Planning Our Urban Future" while the World Town Planning Day is celebrated on Nov. 8 every year.

    Both events aim to raise stakeholders' awareness in ensuring sufficient and comfortable accommodation is provided to everyone with good housing environment being taken into account.

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