Malaysia has been experiencing rapid economic and social transformation over the past three decades. Its economy grew 6.7 per cent per annum during 19711990, Malaysia, 1991) and currently Malaysia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Its gross domestic product (GDP) has been growing by more than 8 per cent consecutively for the past eight years (Bank Negara Malaysia, 1995, p. 16)
Empirical evidence derived from Asian Development Bank’s study (1986) on Urban Development in Malaysia indicates that periods of rapid economic
growth have been concurrent with the periods of rapid urban growth and the rate of urbanization is closely related with the level of development. As a result of three main factors, namely natural increase (56 per cent), reclassification of urban boundaries (39 per cent) and net migration (5 per cent), the urban population growth in Malaysia had increased from 3.3 per cent during 19571970 to 4.9 per cent during the 1971-1990 period. Similarly the overall rate of urbanization rose from 27 per cent in 1970 to 34 per cent in 1980 and 51 per cent in 1991. The figure is expected to reach 55 per cent in 1995 (Malaysia, 1993).
By Chamhuri Siwar and Mohd. Yusof Kasim Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. [Download]