All future development projects to be implemented within the city rating areas will be required to submit a Preliminary Engineering Plan (PEP) together with the Development Plan (DP).

Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai said the new mandatory guideline would take effect as soon as possible after the City Hall (DBKK) had received feedback from all parties involved, including the Malaysian Institute of Architects (PAM) Sabah branch, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah branch, the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM) and Sabah Housing and Real Estate Developers Association (Shareda).

He said the move to submit both plans at the same time would help expedite the implementation of projects.

"Presently, it takes more than 100 days to process and approve the development and engineering plans.

"Under the new guideline which requires the development plan and the PEP to be sent simultaneously, the duration of the approval is expected to be halved" said Yeo during a briefing of preliminary engineering plan (PEP) and awareness talk here yesterday

"Based on existing processes, the development plan does not take into account the engineering plans, especially in the case of drainage and infrastructure facilities.

"Therefore, Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) takes the initiative to come up and provide this new guideline" he added.

The mayor said when the PEP and DP were submitted together, it would make it easier for the Department of Public Works and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage to see the real picture on the project site.

"If the development involves large projects, pedestrian and cycle routes should be available" he reckoned.

Earlier in his speech, Yeo said City Hall was one of four local authorities in Malaysia being selected to implement the Construction Permit Management Program (1 State 1 DCP Champion).

Through the program, the four local authorities will be involved in reviewing and improving the existing development plans, building plans and work certificate procedures.

The program is under the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) and supported by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.

Yeo said the DBKK would organise a workshop on the 1 State 1DCP Champion here on May 12 for the relevant stakeholders.