Development Plans Role in Promoting Achievement of Sustainable Development: A Case Study of the State of Selangor, Malaysia

Town and Country Planning Act 1976 provides that development plans which play a vital role in controlling the development of the country. The development plans which consist of National Physical Plan, structure plan, local plan and special area plan is aimed to translate the government's policies with regards to country's development into action so that the development will be more systematic and sustainable. To be a fully developed country by the year 2020, Malaysia has put a great effort to utilize all available resources to boost up its status whether in economy, industry, technology, physical and infrastructure development as well as agricultural aspect. However, this effort posed a great danger to the environment sustainability should the authority failed to monitor and implement a proper development plan as required by the law. Thus, this paper intends to look into the role and impact of the development plans in regulating land use and development in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It is also the intention of the writer to identify whether the Local Authorities in the State of Selangor implement the policy as stated in the local plan or otherwise. Recommendations and conclusion will be discussed at the end of the article.