ATA Planners

14/05/2025

City planning at its best

16/01/2025

Another busy week for myself, visiting Lahad Datu district for the preparation of the Integrated District Plan for Lahad Datu District, which includes a meeting with the local stakeholders at the Lahad Datu District Council and with one of the biggest land owners in Lahad Datu District, Felda (Felda Sahabat)

10/01/2025

It has been a hectic week this week; meeting on Tuesday on the Drainage Environmental Friendly Master Plan (PISMA) for Tuaran district, site meeting and presentation to Tawau Municipal Council (MPT) on the Tawau Integrated District Plan (IDP) (photo) yesterday and today for the Kalabakan (Sabah, Malaysia) to Simanggaris ( North Kalimantan, Indonesia) road project Interim Report meeting. Next to Lahad Datu for the Lahad Datu IDP.

27/11/2024

Site visit to Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital city at East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Very forward thinking with its mobility; 80% by e-public transport and only 20% allowed for private vehicle. Shared pedestrian, microbility and public transport will be the way. All ground level buildings to be dedicated for public spaces such as shops, services, open spaces and recreation facilities to make it lively.

18/07/2024

The number of people thronging into Tanjung Aru beach, Sabah, Malaysia just to view the sunset is unbelievable. I never witness like this before. Was it made famous because it was viraled or post Covid effect? Whatever it is, this is something the local authorities should take advantage of like beautifying the beach, add facilities, viewing platforms, landscaped parks and walkways, improve safety and security features, systematic parking area and drop-off/pick-up points etc.

07/05/2024

A wonderful presentation by Dr. Larry Ng, an international expert on sustainable urban design from Singapore organised by Mainstreet SA, talking about how Singapore transformed itself to be a world class nature city. Truly an inspiration.

30/04/2024

Let's make our cities more walkable. What's our excuse?

https://fb.watch/rMafBtDnio/

31/03/2024

This isn't the first time of such study have been done and everytime there wasn't any concrete solution. Maybe the ferry operators wasn't consulted? But anyways, they or any other interested parties should see this thing coming and prepare to evolve.

https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyexpress.com.my%2Fnews%2F231404%2Fbridge-study-must-involve-the-experts-labuan-ferry-operator-%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1gK2wZn-JPOLB9WBuU8X4xInVoU7yEZWatdqfdWB7WD3bVxoNhZxa9I9g&h=AT3SaonDG73VIEJlMt_XNeFqt3_MksJUisjVI0bT06mkKVbmyrm2Szzb-GQ9CtHVxF8LlZVCohBTzSlIr_n0Y7RtrJpHl8vigdVU5obuz94GvorfCaQF-_MQyLuaw0Ei02Cc53vzCt7KFtDHxvZR

LABUAN: The leading operator of the Labuan-Menumbok roll on-roll off (ro-ro) ferry service welcomed the decision to set up a Special Task Force to relook the proposal to build a bridge between the two points.

30/03/2024

Currently attending 52nd Malaysian Institute of Planners AGM online

14/03/2024

How long does it take for development to be assessed in Sabah?

A question I've been asking myself. No such thing is mentioned in the Sabah Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Enactment 2002, specifically Section 28E Granting of planning permission. So I looked into the State of South Australia where I took my Bachelor, Postgraduate Diploma and Master in Urban and Regional Planning. The answer is, "the stage and timing of a development application depends on its assessment pathway and the completeness of the application" (https://plan.sa.gov.au/development_applications/getting_approval/how_applications_are_assessed/assessment_stages). Obviously.

However, their statement is backed by a set of timeframes ranging from 5 days to 95 days so it doesn't left us hanging. What is interesting is that, based on PlanSA's factsheet, "if the relevant authority exceeds the timeframe for assessment, the applicant can serve a notice that provides automatic planning consent.".

Imagine that.

10/03/2024

20/02/2024

The Second Finance Minister, Amir Hamzah Azizan expected the currency to strengthen against the dollar after US authorities signalled an end to rate hikes, saying "Apart from that, all the hard work that the prime minister and finance minister... have done to bring in foreign direct investments will also play a part in strengthening the local economy,".... I hope you really know what you are doing!

The Singdollar was trading at RM3.568 at 7pm on Feb 20.