The Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP) is a professional body that oversees urban planning in Malaysia. It was established in 1972 and has over 900 members. MIP works to promote planning standards and provides services to members. It also advises the government and engages in research. Urban planning in Malaysia involves development plans and development control. Registered planning firms work on layout plans, studies, and other projects for private and public clients. While the planning profession and firms have grown, challenges remain regarding roles and institutional relationships. MIP aims to strengthen the profession through advocacy and empowering planners.

1. THE ROLE OF MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OFTHE ROLE OF MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE OF
PLANNERS (MIP) IN IMPLEMENTATIONPLANNERS (MIP) IN IMPLEMENTATION
OF URBAN PLANNING SYSTEM INOF URBAN PLANNING SYSTEM IN
MALAYSIAMALAYSIA
Mohd. Anuar A. WahabMohd. Anuar A. Wahab
Chairman, Malaysian Institute of Planners, Southern BranchChairman, Malaysian Institute of Planners, Southern Branch
Workshop Perencanaan Daerah (Studi Kasus: PembangunanWorkshop Perencanaan Daerah (Studi Kasus: Pembangunan
Johor Bahru dan Kota Tinggi, Malaysia)Johor Bahru dan Kota Tinggi, Malaysia)
14 May, 2007 – 18 May, 200714 May, 2007 – 18 May, 2007

2. ContentsContents
Establishment of MIPEstablishment of MIP
Objects of MIPObjects of MIP
Functions of MIPFunctions of MIP
Membership RoleMembership Role
Urban Planning ContextUrban Planning Context
Planning FirmsPlanning Firms
ChallengesChallenges
ConclusionConclusion

3. What is MIPWhat is MIP
Professional institute that is a membershipProfessional institute that is a membership
registered organisationregistered organisation
Champion and lead progress and change inChampion and lead progress and change in
planning practice, address issues of importanceplanning practice, address issues of importance
to the planning profession and the public interestto the planning profession and the public interest
and deliver relevant and contemporary benefitsand deliver relevant and contemporary benefits
and services to its membersand services to its members
Different entity from Town Planners Board ofDifferent entity from Town Planners Board of
Malaysia- registered town planners for practiceMalaysia- registered town planners for practice
under Town Planners Act 1995under Town Planners Act 1995

4. Establishment and MembershipEstablishment and Membership
Established in 1972 with pioneer membersEstablished in 1972 with pioneer members
Members are qualified professional townMembers are qualified professional town
planners drawn from planning officers withplanners drawn from planning officers with
various federal, state and local authorities,various federal, state and local authorities,
town planning consultants, lecturers intown planning consultants, lecturers in
universities or planners for developers anduniversities or planners for developers and
various other organisationsvarious other organisations

5. Membership RoleMembership Role
Honorary FellowHonorary Fellow - 3- 3
FellowFellow - 51- 51
CorporateCorporate - 422- 422
GraduateGraduate - 411- 411
AssociatesAssociates - 1- 1
Registered Planning FirmsRegistered Planning Firms - 106- 106

6. MIP OrganisationMIP Organisation
CouncilCouncil
Sarawak / Sabah ChapterSarawak / Sabah Chapter
Northern Region ChapterNorthern Region Chapter
Southern Region Sub-CommitteeSouthern Region Sub-Committee
Standing CommitteeStanding Committee
International Affairs CommitteeInternational Affairs Committee
Membership CommitteeMembership Committee
Professional Practice CommitteeProfessional Practice Committee
Education and Student Affairs CommitteeEducation and Student Affairs Committee
Programme CommitteeProgramme Committee
Research and Publication CommitteeResearch and Publication Committee

7. Representatives to other OrganisationsRepresentatives to other Organisations
Sustainable, Planning and Development CommitteeSustainable, Planning and Development Committee
Special Project CommitteeSpecial Project Committee
Young Planners CommitteeYoung Planners Committee

8. Functions of MIPFunctions of MIP
Establish and maintain a Register of membersEstablish and maintain a Register of members
Undertake research, programs and projectsUndertake research, programs and projects
Devise and impose standards of knowledge andDevise and impose standards of knowledge and
skillsskills
Draw up a guideline on the scale of professionalDraw up a guideline on the scale of professional
chargecharge
Objects of MIPObjects of MIP
To promote the science and art of town planningTo promote the science and art of town planning
for the benefits of the publicfor the benefits of the public

9. Disseminate information pertaining to TownDisseminate information pertaining to Town
PlanningPlanning
Establish courses and undertake trainingEstablish courses and undertake training
programmes that are accreditedprogrammes that are accredited
Assist and advise government, local authority,Assist and advise government, local authority,
public or private bodypublic or private body
Provide facilities for communication andProvide facilities for communication and
interchange with other professional associations,interchange with other professional associations,
educational and scientific bodieseducational and scientific bodies
Carry out any other activities incidental to itsCarry out any other activities incidental to its
function and objectives.function and objectives.

10. MIP PublicationsMIP Publications

11. Urban Planning ContextUrban Planning Context
Development Plan SystemDevelopment Plan System
1.1. Three tier development plans – nationalThree tier development plans – national
physical plan, state structure plans,physical plan, state structure plans,
district local plansdistrict local plans
2.2. Other plans – RKK (Special Area Plans)Other plans – RKK (Special Area Plans)
3.3. Other sources and policiesOther sources and policies
Forward PlanningForward Planning

12. Development ControlDevelopment Control
Development Control SystemDevelopment Control System
1.1.Change of use in titleChange of use in title
2.2.Planning permissionPlanning permission
3.3.Other approval systems and requirementsOther approval systems and requirements
(EIA, TIA, SIA, Market and Feasibility(EIA, TIA, SIA, Market and Feasibility
Studies)Studies)

13. Development
Plans
INSTRUMENTS INSTITUTIONS LEGITIMACY & PROVIDERS
Development
Control
Local Authorities
Agencies
JPBD
Planning & Other
Consultants
Developers
Board of Town
Planners
MIP
Planning Consultants & Firms
Planning
permission
Change of
use in title
Other
approvals
Registration
Membership
Professional
Charges
Ethics
Planning services
Planning
services
Public linkages
OTHER PLANNING
SERVICES/WORKS
/ENGAGEMENT
TOWN
PLANNERS
ACT 1995TOWN &
COUNTRY
PLANNING
ACT 1976
OTHER
RELEVANT
ACTS

14. Planning Firms – ProfessionalPlanning Firms – Professional
Practice Arm of MIPPractice Arm of MIP
Town Planner -Recognised area ofTown Planner -Recognised area of
expertise, a professional disciplineexpertise, a professional discipline
Legal and administrative requirements byLegal and administrative requirements by
the authoritiesthe authorities
Market needs – private and publicMarket needs – private and public
Legitimacy of Planning FirmsLegitimacy of Planning Firms

15. Incorporation of a Planning FirmIncorporation of a Planning Firm
Types – sole proprietorship, partnership,Types – sole proprietorship, partnership,
private limited co.(sdn. bhd.)private limited co.(sdn. bhd.)
Registration with SSMRegistration with SSM
Registration with MIPRegistration with MIP
Registration with the Board of TownRegistration with the Board of Town
Planners Malaysia?Planners Malaysia?
Registration with Ministry of FinanceRegistration with Ministry of Finance
Other registrationOther registration

16. OrganisationOrganisation
Single scopeSingle scope
MultidisciplinaryMultidisciplinary
The way forward-export of servicesThe way forward-export of services

17. Scope of Planning WorksScope of Planning Works
Layout and LCPLayout and LCP
Development plansDevelopment plans
StudiesStudies
OthersOthers
New scope – advocacy planningNew scope – advocacy planning

18. Scale of FeesScale of Fees
Basic FeeBasic Fee
Plus fee based on size of land or grossPlus fee based on size of land or gross
floor areafloor area
Basic salary x Multiplier x Man-monthBasic salary x Multiplier x Man-month
ReimbursablesReimbursables

19. Challenges and ProblemsChallenges and Problems
Roles of town planner cum planning firmRoles of town planner cum planning firm
-Planning input/engagement as an ‘afterthought’-Planning input/engagement as an ‘afterthought’
Planning consultant vis-à-vis other professionalsPlanning consultant vis-à-vis other professionals
Encroachment issues, reliance issuesEncroachment issues, reliance issues
Client-consultant issues and problemsClient-consultant issues and problems
Consultant-authorities issues and problemsConsultant-authorities issues and problems
Institutional- MIP vs Board of Town PlannersInstitutional- MIP vs Board of Town Planners
Planners vs PlannersPlanners vs Planners

20. Professional EthicsProfessional Ethics
Soliciting for workSoliciting for work
Work performance and obligationWork performance and obligation
Transfer of workTransfer of work
Work commissioning to othersWork commissioning to others
UndercuttingUndercutting
Degrading other plannersDegrading other planners
Bringing disrepute to the professionBringing disrepute to the profession

21. ConclusionConclusion
New profession with tremendous growthNew profession with tremendous growth
but yet fragilebut yet fragile
Role and functions of MIP becoming moreRole and functions of MIP becoming more
important as the guardian of planningimportant as the guardian of planning
advocacy and practiceadvocacy and practice
Empowerment of planning profession andEmpowerment of planning profession and
firms are essentialfirms are essential
Process of consolidation of scope of worksProcess of consolidation of scope of works
is evidentis evident