KUALA LUMPUR: Property developers have been urged to focus on transit-oriented projects to ease traffic congestion in the city.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said amenities such as pedestrian bridges that link public transportation stations to major commercial and residential areas would encourage more people to use public transport.

He said there should be more pedestrian-friendly stops and walkways to improve movement of workforce and shoppers.

“We need to enhance connectivity to reduce the cost of living for urban commuters, who are already dealing with increasing costs of transportation,” he said at an event here yesterday.

Dr Wee said the Government gave its full support to infrastructure enhancement projects and would provide RM80.5mil facilitation fund for the purpose.

Among the projects were the widening work of the congested Jalan Cheras here with better drainage system, street lighting and landscaping as well as the construction of an elevated U-turn at the Cheras roundabout.

Booming development: Dr Wee (fourth from right) being briefed by Ekovest executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo (third from right) and managing director Datuk Seri Lim Keng Cheng (second from right) on the EkoCheras project. Booming development: Dr Wee (fourth from right) being briefed by Ekovest executive chairman Tan Sri Lim Kang Hoo (third from right) and managing director Datuk Seri Lim Keng Cheng (second from right) on the EkoCheras project.

“I believe these projects will have a positive impact towards better living conditions for the residents,” he added.

At the event, Dr Wee witnessed the signing of an agreement between the key tenants of the EkoCheras Mall and its developer Ekovest Bhd. The project is under construction.

He said the Government had been careful in aligning policies related to the wholesale and retail sector to ensure the high income nation goal was achieved.

“The continued growth of this sector is important for many reasons, one of them being that it will allow us to avoid the problems of widespread unemployment that are being seen in many developed countries,” he added.

He noted that the wholesale and retail sector recorded a growth of 5.9% last year and contributed nearly 13.8% to Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP).

EkoCheras Mall, located in Cheras, is scheduled to be opened early 2018.