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Focus Malaysia
4 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
PAS leaders slam Anwar's immunity bid in civil lawsuit as anti-reform
SENIOR leaders of PAS have strongly rebuked Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over his bid for immunity in a civil lawsuit brought against him by former research assistant Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, who has accused the PM of sexual assault. PAS Pahang information chief Ustaz Aireroshairi Roslan and PAS Youth deputy chief Ustaz Mohd Hafez Sabri condemned the move as a betrayal of Anwar's reformist rhetoric and an attempt to evade accountability. Hafez asserted that no one, including the PM, should be above the law. He criticised Anwar for suing other politicians such as Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who faced their lawsuits openly while Anwar seeks to avoid the same process. 'This undermines the rule of law and the credibility of national leadership,' Hafez said. Aireroshairi described Anwar's immunity bid as a sign of 'weakness and fear' of the judicial process, arguing it contradicts the principles of democracy and justice. He noted that the alleged incident occurred on Sept 2, 2018, when Anwar was a private citizen, not PM, making his claim to immunity inappropriate. 'This is a legal manoeuvre to escape accountability,' Harakahdaily quoted Aireroshairi as saying, pointing to Yusoff's polygraph test at Bukit Aman, which found him truthful, followed by charges against him for drug and firearm offences, raising concerns of targeted oppression. PAS Youth Malaysia proposed that Anwar withdraw his immunity application, cooperate fully with the judicial system, and support the creation of a National Leadership Ethics Commission to ensure transparency. 'If innocent, prove it in court. If guilty, seek forgiveness for justice,' Hafez urged, emphasising that true reform requires leaders to face accountability head-on. The controversy has sparked calls for Malaysians to demand transparency, with PAS leaders insisting justice must apply equally to all, especially those in power. — May 31, 2025 Main photo credit: Sinar Harian
Malay Mail
05-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Why Malaysia needs the Urban Renewal Act and why some are resisting it
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 — After more than a decade in the making, Malaysia's much-anticipated Urban Renewal Bill is expected to be tabled in the upcoming July parliamentary sitting. The Bill aims to restore the vibrancy of old areas, provide affordable housing, enhance public facilities and revitalise architecture. However, despite these goals, it still faces resistance on the ground. PAS Youth recently announced a protest set for June 14 in the Klang Valley to oppose the Bill. The group argues that the legislation could open the door to exploitation by developers and endanger vulnerable communities. So why does Malaysia need an Urban Renewal Act (URA)? Many of the country's buildings were constructed during the post-independence property boom. As a result, many are now deteriorating and in need of rejuvenation. However, redeveloping these properties has long been hampered by legal hurdles. Under current laws outlined in Section 57 of the Strata Titles Act 1985, a strata development can only be sold if 100 per cent of unit owners agree. The proposed URA aims to lower this threshold based on the building's age and condition. If the Bill is passed in Parliament, it is intended to overcome that gridlock. While the URA is much needed in Malaysia, Adjunct Professor Shuhana Shamsuddin of Taylor's University said the proposed Bill seems developer-driven. — Picture by Raymond Manuel Majority rule proposed to break redevelopment deadlocks Professor Jamalunlaili Abdullah, dean at Universiti Teknologi MARA's Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying, said the Bill will look at giving power to the majority when it comes to determining consent threshold — before a building is sold or listed under the URA for refurbishment or redevelopment. 'Currently, even 10 per cent of residents can block a project supported by the 90 per cent who want a redevelopment project. 'So supposed if an area is very dilapidated, then supposed that 90 per cent of the residents want it to be redeveloped but 10 per cent disagree, they (authorities or developers) cannot do anything. 'That's why some of the projects are stalled for redevelopment. This new Bill will allow for that — majority power to determine a renewal project,' he said when contacted by Malay Mail. That is not all, Jamalunlaili said as there are concerns on the ground, for example the concern of what happens after redevelopment is completed. 'Yes, people may get larger, better homes. But can they afford the property taxes and upkeep later? 'The property tax will increase as this tax is based on the value of the properties in an area. When redevelopment is done, the value of properties in the area will go up,' he added. He also said that while the Bill is positive, it still needed to include some safeguards for property owners, especially if they belong to the low-income tier. 'People need this assurance that they will still be able to afford living in their houses after it has gone through redevelopment and this assurance should be long term — for the next 10 to 20 years. 'There have been cases in the past whereby land owners have to sell their land due to rising taxes. This is something that could still happen today,' he said. A vision for renewal should prevent gentrification While the URA is much needed in Malaysia, Adjunct Professor Shuhana Shamsuddin of Taylor's University said the proposed Bill seems developer-driven. 'If you compare this proposed Bill to URA in other countries, there is no mention of developers in their URA. 'Ours seem to put developers at the forefront, leading the renewal programmes. 'What should be done is the government setting up an agency that overlooks these urban renewal programmes,' she said when contacted. Shuhana, who is also the Malaysian Urban Design Academy (Perekabandar) president, said this is why there is anxiety on the ground as property owners still have the sentiment that developers will not protect them. 'The sentiment on the ground is that people fear their homes will be demolished and replaced by high-rises that they cannot afford,' she said. Citing an example, Shuhana pointed to Kampung Baru — a once-thriving cultural enclave now overshadowed by surrounding development. 'Urban renewal shouldn't erase identity. It should protect it,' she said. A general view of the Kampung Sungai Baru in Kuala Lumpur April 26, 2025. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa On the ground, residents speak out Save Kuala Lumpur chairman Datuk M. Ali said even if 1 per cent do not agree to sell their property, this decision should be respected. 'Why are they (government) pushing for 75 per cent and 85 per cent. You must respect even if one individual refuses, you must be able to work through it. 'If it's going to benefit them in the long term without any financial implication without loss of anything, then that is okay. 'This is what the government must make clear, what the exact plan is and why are they pushing so hard for a lesser percentage. 'Even if 1 per cent objects, you have to be able to convince that one person. Yes, they want better homes, but not at the cost of the community and livelihood,' said Ali. Is there potential abuse of the URA? According to Jamalunlaili, there should not be any room for abuse of the Act as any redevelopment should follow what is stated in the existing local and structure plans. 'That's why they need to follow the zoning laws in the local plan — plot ratio, density, how many units. 'Taman Rimba Kiara is an example — it was protested due to zoning issues. So in other scenarios, if the local plan states a plot ratio of 1:8, developers cannot build more than that. 'There should not be any abuse of the URA as the local plan has laws and must be followed,' he said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has since said the proposed URA will protect the rights of property owners by ensuring fair and significantly higher compensation than is currently provided. He also said that the law aims to protect the rights and dignity of the people, particularly Malays in the cities, ensuring that the urban poor can live with greater dignity, rather than being left to live in overcrowded conditions for decades without resolution.
Malaysiakini
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Amanah rep: PAS offers no solutions to urban squalor, only fear-mongering
Batu Tiga assemblyperson Danial Al-Rashid criticised PAS Youth for resorting to the race card in opposing the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA). Danial (above) said the press conference earlier today, where the party wing announced plans to hold a protest against the URA, was 'shallow, not based on facts, and meant to cause fear and confusion amongst the people'...
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Don't just stay in your bungalows': Nga dares critics of URA to experience urban poor's struggles, offers free rental in dilapidated flats
KUANTAN, May 3 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has today challenged critics of the Urban Renewal Act (URA) Bill to live in dilapidated flats to better understand the hardship faced by urban poor communities. Nga, who is also the Teluk Intan MP, said the offer includes rent-free stays in vacant units, aiming to provide critics with a firsthand experience of the residents' struggles — highlighting how lawmakers recently found a python beside a flat during a visit. 'So, for those who object, I want to invite the MPs concerned — bring your wife, your children, stay there, and feel for yourself what the urban poor are going through,' he was quoted saying by Malaysiakini. 'Don't just live in your own bungalow, go stay there... bring Datin Seri, let her live in a dilapidated flat and only then will you understand why we want to implement the Urban Renewal Act.' Nga said his ministry had twice invited opposition lawmakers to attend briefings on the proposed law but they failed to show up despite initially agreeing to attend. 'They skipped again... not only are they absent from Parliament, but when we want to help the people, they also skip that,' he reportedly said. When asked if another site visit invitation would be extended to the opposition, Nga said the ministry has no plans to do so. This comes as PAS Youth announced earlier that it will hold a peaceful protest on June 14 in the Klang Valley to oppose the proposed Bill. Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden claimed the Bill could harm vulnerable communities by putting them at risk of losing their homes and breaking up long-standing neighbourhoods. Under current laws, 100 per cent agreement from all residents and stakeholders is required, but the Bill is proposing:
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘Don't just stay in your bungalows': Nga dares critics of URA to experience urban poor's struggles, offers rent-free stay in dilapidated flats
KUANTAN, May 3 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has today challenged critics of the Urban Renewal Act (URA) Bill to live in dilapidated flats to better understand the hardship faced by urban poor communities. Nga, who is also the Teluk Intan MP, said the offer includes rent-free stays in vacant units, aiming to provide critics with a firsthand experience of the residents' struggles — highlighting how lawmakers recently found a python beside a flat during a visit. 'So, for those who object, I want to invite the MPs concerned — bring your wife, your children, stay there, and feel for yourself what the urban poor are going through,' he was quoted saying by Malaysiakini. 'Don't just live in your own bungalow, go stay there... bring Datin Seri, let her live in a dilapidated flat and only then will you understand why we want to implement the Urban Renewal Act.' Nga said his ministry had twice invited opposition lawmakers to attend briefings on the proposed law but they failed to show up despite initially agreeing to attend. 'They skipped again... not only are they absent from Parliament, but when we want to help the people, they also skip that,' he reportedly said. When asked if another site visit invitation would be extended to the opposition, Nga said the ministry has no plans to do so. This comes as PAS Youth announced earlier that it will hold a peaceful protest on June 14 in the Klang Valley to oppose the proposed Bill. Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden claimed the Bill could harm vulnerable communities by putting them at risk of losing their homes and breaking up long-standing neighbourhoods. Under current laws, 100 per cent agreement from all residents and stakeholders is required, but the Bill is proposing:
