KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 -- Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said governments needed to devote more attention and resources to maintaining existing public facilities, adding that the long-term costs of upkeep should be factored into decisions on new developments.

Speaking at the launch of Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Week (KLSW) today, she said the challenge was not merely constructing new amenities, but ensuring they could continue serving the public years after completion.

According to The Star, Yeoh said proposals for new developments should be accompanied by clear plans for their long-term maintenance.

"When people bring proposals to me and talk about creating something new, I am always more concerned about the budget required ...