
Urban renewal isn't a threat — it's the help our cities desperately need — Syerleena Abdul Rashid
MAY 5 — Malaysia is at a crossroads. For too long, our urban centres — once proud symbols of growth and diversity — have been allowed to crumble under the weight of neglect, outdated infrastructure, and poor planning. If we continue to ignore this, many of our neighbourhoods will slip further into decay, dragging down the quality of life for millions.
The Urban Renewal Act (URA) is our opportunity to reverse that decline. It is not about luxury condos or gentrification — it is about ensuring that ordinary Malaysians have access to safe, decent, and liveable homes. It is about fixing what's broken — and doing it right.
The Act proposes what we've long needed: proper legal frameworks, transparent compensation, public consultation, and a people-first approach to redevelopment. It moves us away from an era of shady backdoor deals and unchecked development — and toward a system that's fair, transparent, and sustainable.
Unfortunately, instead of working together to fix what's broken, some quarters of the opposition are once again resorting to an all-too-familiar playbook — using race to stoke fear. This brand of lazy politics is not only reckless but it does nothing to address the real struggles faced by everyday Malaysians.
Just last week, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming invited opposition MPs to visit run-down flats in the Klang Valley to see for themselves the urgency of urban renewal. Not a single one showed up. Instead of showing leadership, they stayed silent — content to criticise from afar.
Meanwhile, the problems continue to mount. In places like Rifle Range in Penang — once a pioneering model of public housing — the buildings are now falling apart. Residents face outdated wiring, pest infestations, poor ventilation, and lifts that break down regularly. Many have asked for help for years, but efforts have been stalled by bureaucracy and the absence of a national legal mechanism.
In places like Rifle Range in Penang, once a pioneering model of public housing, the buildings are now falling apart. Residents face outdated wiring, pest infestations, poor ventilation, and lifts that break down regularly. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
Penang has tried to act on its own, but without federal support, even the best intentions get tangled in red tape. The URA can change that — giving states the power and resources to act decisively, while ensuring that no community is left behind.
So when certain politicians claim that the URA is a threat to Malay land or heritage, let's call it what it is, and that is, misinformation. Malay rights are protected under our Federal Constitution — and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated this fact time and again.
The URA is a tool for progress that upholds fairness and presents hope. It is about making sure our children grow up with access to parks and clean walkways, not rat-infested corridors. While making sure our seniors live in comfort and not in fear of building collapse. Rifle Range, like so many communities across the country, is multiracial. Malays, Chinese, Indians — all struggling with the same issues: failing infrastructure, unsafe buildings, and a lack of basic services.
Supporting the URA means choosing a Malaysia that works for everyone — not just for those lucky enough to live behind security guards and gated fences.
In the end, the choice is simple: fix what's broken — or leave it to crumble.
And we choose to fix it.
* Syerleena Abdul Rashid is the Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera
** This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Saturday (July 26, 2025)
Malaysia: * Anwar extends appreciation to all parties for smooth, incident-free rally / Anwar reaffirms commitment to democracy, freedom of speech * Rally ended peacefully, no untoward incidents reported, says acting KL police chief * Only 40% of Malaysians believe country is on the right track, says survey * July 26 protest: Traffic near Sogo at standstill as protesters spill onto the road * July 26 protest - Liveblog: Rally comes to an end with prayer recital * Protestors gather for July 26 rally in Kuala Lumpur * Anwar says he won't attend July 26 rally because he wasn't invited * Take me to court if I am wrong, Dr M says on Batu Puteh issue * Anwar calls on MPs to uphold civil debate in Parliament, avoid insults and profanity * Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive in Shanghai's luxury estate * Bar Council EGM on judicial independence dissolves due to lack of quorum * AGC to re-examine influencer's false report case * Malaysia faces rising cyber threats as incidents increase * MyDigital ID rollout must prioritise trust over compulsion, says think tank * Malaysia's new ambassador to US pledges stronger bilateral relations * Dr M's granddaughter loses RM1.8mil in home burglary / Cops tracking down suspects involved in burglary at Dr M's grandchild's house North Korea's Jo Jin Mi and Choe Wi Hyan compete in the final of the mixed team 3m and 10m diving event during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Saturday, July 26, 2025. -- Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP Singapore: * Singapore's national screening programme tests newborns for metabolic and heritable diseases * Shocker in Singapore: Woman taken to hospital after car falls into sinkhole on Tanjong Katong Road * Black belt in taekwondo, grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements * Singapore's Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges S$14mil lost from misconduct, poor decisions * Singapore rail operator to pay lower fine of S$2.4m for line disruption; must invest at least S$600k to boost reliability * Singapore shipowner told to pay US$1bil over marine disaster Indonesia: * Trump tariffs leave costly China supply question unanswered; Indonesia among countries deeply affected * Students flee Sekolah Rakyat in Central Java just one week into orientation * Indonesia car sales expected to top 800,000 units in 2025 * Indonesia backs peaceful resolution in Thai-Cambodian border dispute * Oil prices ease to three-week low at weekend as negative economic news offsets trade optimism Japanese dancers perform Ryukyu Buyo, a traditional Okinawan dance blending graceful movements with vibrant music rooted in the heritage of the Ryukyu Islands, during a cultural exchange programme by the Japan Foundation at the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) theatre in Jakarta. -- Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA / AFP Thailand: * Malaysia: Government monitoring investments in Thailand, Cambodia amid conflict * Thai-Cambodia clashes spread along frontier as death toll rises * Thai Army clarifies use of cluster munitions, insists they are aimed at military targets only * Thailand issues warning of potential long-distance PHL-03 missile strike from Cambodia * Thailand condemns Cambodian attacks on civilians, hospitals * New front opens as clashes between Thailand and Cambodia continue * Thai Navy joins conflict against Cambodia as death toll climbs to 30 * China must strike a delicate balance in its approach towards Thai-Cambodian conflict, say analysts * Thaksin denies family conflict sparked Thai-Cambodian war, insists on non-interference in military operations Philippines: * Philippine Supreme Court rules impeachment bid against vice president is unconstitutional * Typhoons 'Crising,' 'Dante,' and tropical storm 'Emong' combined death toll at 26 in Philippines * Philippine cyclones death toll rises to 30, seven missing * Co-May leaves trail of destruction in the Philippines * US agrees deals with Indonesia, Philippines – but are Chinese firms a step ahead? U.S. President Donald Trump, flanked by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., at the White House in Washington. --Photo: REUTERS/Kent Nishimura Vietnam: * Vietnam stands at core of evolving Asean: Malaysian ambassador * Plastics remain top choice for Hanoi food and beverage shops * Sleeper bus overturns in central Vietnam, leaving nine dead * Kids among nine killed in bus crash in central Vietnam * Analysis-Trump's distraction methods fall flat against Epstein uproar Myanmar: * US drops sanctions on Myanmar junta allies after Trump praise * US says lifting of some Myanmar sanctions had no link to general's letter to Trump * India and Myanmar discuss future of pharmaceutical industry in Yangon Displaced Cambodians receive water at the Battkhao Resettlement Camp in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, Saturday, July 26, 2025, as border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia entered its third day. -- AP Photo/Anton L. Delgado Cambodia: * Tens of thousands flee their homes as Thailand and Cambodia clash * Death toll rises in Thai-Cambodian clashes despite ceasefire call * China denies supplying new weapons to Cambodia in Thai border conflict * Hong Kong police investigate Cambodian scam farm link to missing girl * Cambodia bans flights across fighting zones with Thailand * Cambodia prepares counterattack at Phu Ma Kua — plans heavy use of indirect munitions Laos: * 'We are not involved in this': Laos denies reports on border clash with Cambodian forces * Laos seeks to develop traditional medicine * Lao communities on edge as river levels climb amid continuous rainfall Brunei: * Bruneians turning heads at international barber event * Brunei Law Society attends Asean Bar Leaders' Summit * Brunei emphasises sustainable forest management and environmental protection for its future generation Australia's diver Maddison Keeney holds her gold medal after competing in the final of the women's 1m springboard diving event during the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore on Saturday, July 26, 2025. -- Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP AseanPlus: * MMEA on high alert, strengthens fleet to tackle drug smuggling at sea * Australia, Britain sign 50-year AUKUS submarine partnership treaty * Security forces fired indiscriminately during Bangladesh protest: report * China calls for calm over border clash - The Thailand-Cambodia clash * Chinese pet clinic runs over 'untreatable' dog to 'get owner insurance payout' * Hong Kong starts building city's first public hydrogen charging system for EVs * US continues to have 'productive' talks with South Korea to reduce 'unfair' trade barriers: White House * Sri Lanka to waive visa fees for 40 more countries to boost tourism * Economists doubt Trump outlook that US will sell 'so much' beef to Australia * Beijing issues warning of geological disasters after intense rainfall * Day of prayers for victims after Bangladesh jet crash * Three injured in Seoul stabbing attack * Hongkonger suffers knife wounds in bar fight involving 10 people * Pakistan says it's close to US trade deal, Washington gives no timeline * Taiwan holds historic recall vote that could swing legislature * Trump administration issues plan to limit AI exports to China * No Cantonese, no career? Can Hong Kong do more to help ethnic minority groups? * C-drama 'Coroner's Diary' is a big hit in South-East Asia and also major favourite now with global fans * Hong Kong dancer Mo Li shares first image of his face since Mirror show accident * Van and pick-up vehicle collision leaves four women dead, 10 injured in India's Rajasthan * Thousands of men shared non-consensual intimate photos on Telegram: Chinese media * Korean actor Ji Seung-hyun looks forward to trying satay and laksa on his first visit to Malaysia * Japan to end limits on women's roles in the Self-Defence Forces, allowing them to work in contaminated areas * Sudden deaths likely linked to genetics and lifestyle, not Covid-19 vaccination: India's Union Health Minister Nadda * South Korean father who allegedly shot son with homemade gun at birthday party says he 'felt betrayed' * Pakistan urges global social media platforms to block accounts run by banned militant groups * Trump wants it, but India is doing it -- A new iPhone factory in an out-of-the-way corner of India * HK actress Myolie Wu dispels rumours with family vacation in the Maldives * Japanese legend Tamiya, the man who brought perfection to plastic race car models, dies at 90 * Ex-Hong Kong social worker given community service for defrauding authorities * Stay alert for chikungunya fever threat, leading expert tells Hongkongers * South Korea to prepare mutually agreeable trade package as US tariff deadline looms * Cricket - Root climbs to second on all-time Test list as England dominate hapless India * Cricket will be part of the 2026 Asian Games, says ACC * Motor racing - Verstappen wins Red Bull's first race since Horner's exit * Badminton - Pearly-Thinaah lose to home pair in China Open semis / Aaron-Wooi Yik power into China Open final * Ten-year-old dances her way to history - Sabahan ballerina win silver in the ballet solo event at Dance World Cup (DWC) 2025 finals in Spain


The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Azalina urges UMNO to enhance digital skills for GE15
KUANTAN: UMNO must strengthen its digital capabilities to counter slander and spread accurate information through social media and smartphones, especially in preparation for the 15th General Election (GE15). UMNO Information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said emphasised that improving digital outreach is crucial to closing the gap in public perception about the party's image. 'In addition, I also reminded (party members) that the unity government or coalition government model is one that has been used by UMNO since the days of the Alliance, and subsequently with the establishment of Barisan Nasional.' She noted that UMNO's role in the current government is not a new concept, even though the party is no longer the leading force. 'Even though UMNO is not the leading party, it remains a stabilising factor,' she said in a Facebook post after officiating the Temerloh UMNO Division Delegates' Meeting. Azalina highlighted that Barisan Nasional, under the MADANI Government, continues to uphold the Federal Constitution's fundamentals, including Islam as the official religion, the Malay Rulers' position, Malay as the national language, and the special rights of Malays and Bumiputera. 'Alhamdulillah, after nearly three years of the MADANI Government's administration, there has never been a moment when our partners in the current coalition have questioned these matters, which is also the main reason this government remains stable.' - Bernama
![[UPDATED] Rally ends peacefully with no arrests, says IGP](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FDATUK_SERI_MOHD_KHALID_ISMAIL_260725n01-1_1753535111.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Rally ends peacefully with no arrests, says IGP](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75)
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Rally ends peacefully with no arrests, says IGP
KUALA LUMPUR: No arrests were made during the rally here today, a sign of the protest's peaceful nature and the police's professional handling of the event, said Malaysia's top cop. Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail confirmed that the rally, which drew an estimated 18,000 participants, concluded without incident across several key areas in the city. "These areas included Masjid Negara, Kompleks Sogo, Masjid Jamek, Pasar Seni, and Dataran Merdeka. "Despite the large turnout, the entire assembly remained calm and orderly. "No arrests were made throughout the event," he said in a statement today. He said police deployed 3,000 personnel from the Kuala Lumpur police contingent and federal police to monitor security, manage traffic, and facilitate the rally without disrupting public order. "Participants began gathering as early as 10.30am before marching towards Dataran Merdeka by 2pm, where speeches were delivered by several political leaders and non-governmental organisation representatives." Khalid said all enforcement efforts were carried out professionally and ethically, reflecting the police's commitment to a balanced approach in safeguarding both security and democratic freedoms. "Our responsibility is to ensure public safety while allowing space for democratic expression. "Today's peaceful outcome shows that this can be achieved with mutual respect and discipline," he said. He also reaffirmed the police's commitment to upholding the rule of law while ensuring the rights and safety of all Malaysians remain protected.