THE image of a Chinese new village is usually one where seniors stay on while the local youth have moved out of the area, with hygiene issues and a lack of infrastructure facilities.

However, the government is now seeing opportunities in new villages in an era of rapid urbanisation as cities become even more cramped.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry’s special functions officer Chua Yee Ling told The Malaysian Insight that she is optimistic about future developments in new villages.

Chua said new villages have an aging population due to urban migration trends and it’s not new.

“But looking at it positively, it can be seen as an opportunity. As people feel more and more cramped in the cities, many may wish to revisit the village lifestyle,” she said.

Under the previous Barisan Nasional government, new villages were parked under the Prime Minister’s Department with a minister in charge.

However, Pakatan Harapan has pushed it back to the Housing and Local Government Ministry with the aim of handling the new villages more effectively.

The previous government focused on urban development and would heavily invest in cities, but the current administration is attempting develop suburban areas, she said.

Location is no longer a main factor as long as there’s fast internet connection, she said.

“Basically, the government won’t be only investing in the cities but will also focus on the outskirts of the cities, such as new villages and suburbs. This will be something that new villages can look forward to in the future.”

Chua said one of the challenges when developing new villages is how to avoid displacing locals.

“How do we plan development in new villages so the locals can rest easy and continue staying here while urbanites move in from the city?”

Another challenge, Chua said, is on the economic development of new villages. She said such development can bring new jobs into new villages so such areas can better retain their youth.

Those who have lived in both new villages and in the cities can agree that new villages have a certain intimacy and charm lacking in the cities.

“When you compare the two, people in the city are cold and aloof while those in new villages are friendly and intimate. Some may prefer the intimacy of new villages.”

Chua said although the government is looking to develop new villages, it’s not turning them into another city.

“We have to preserve the characteristics of new villages. But if you want people to live there, then you have to improve the hygiene and make sure development there is keeping with the times.” – August 12, 2019.