Latest news with #UrbanRenewalBill
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Accused of driving Malays from cities under guise of urban renewal, Nga Kor Ming says it's about rescuing the poor
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming denies claims that the Urban Renewal Bill will push urban Malays out of the cities. The minister has been on the receiving end of a firing squad that has taken aim against the proposed law to redevelop ageing buildings and improve living conditions – especially for low-income urban communities – and which has at times, turned into a personal attack. 'These are all slanderers with nothing better to do. 'They say the original residents will be kicked out — this is all falsehood,' Nga told Malay newspaper Mingguan Malaysia in an interview published today. He was also asked, point black, if the proposal was a subtle eviction of Malays. 'No. What do I gain by evicting people? Developers prefer buying their own land – it's faster and cheaper than negotiating endlessly with residents. 'Buildings, like people, have a lifespan. Wiring doesn't last forever. We're not obligated to help, but as part of the Madani Government, we sincerely want to help,' he replied. He highlighted that just as the country will mark 70 years of independence in 2027, buildings, like people, age. Some buildings, Nga said, are so unsafe that people sleep outside in dangerous conditions. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the proposed Urban Renewal Act is not an attempt at evicting the Malays but rescuing urban poor communities. — Bernama pic 'I did an expedition with MPs and the media. Some people sleep beside their houses, with pythons. Can you accept this?' he asked in the interview. The minister emphasised that redevelopment under the proposed Urban Renewal Act is designed to help, not displace residents. 'I already asked DBKL to give them PPR application forms for free. But why are Opposition parties blocking them from getting help?' he asked. DBKL refers to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall while PPR refers to the People's Housing Programme in Malay. Nga said the government plans to reduce the requirement for redevelopment consent from 100 per cent to 80 per cent — a move aligned with global best practices. 'In Tokyo it's 66 per cent. In Shanghai, two-thirds. Even in Singapore it's 80 per cent,' he pointed out. He added that land ownership and legal statuses will remain untouched. 'If your house is on Malay reserve land, then it remains Malay reserve. If it's a 99-year leasehold, it remains a 99-year leasehold.' Compensation, he said, will always be higher than current property values, based on official assessment by the Valuation and Property Services Department. 'We are not taking homes. We are offering compensation, and it must be more than the existing value,' he was quoted as saying Nga cited Kampung Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur as an example of successful renewal. He noted that the old PPR flats had measured about 400 square feet and was worth about RM70,000. But after renewal, each flat unit more than doubled their size to 850 square feet, could accommodate three rooms and could be priced more than six-fold, about RM450,000. Nga urged Malaysians not to fall for racial rhetoric surrounding the Bill. 'If there are Opposition parties playing the race card, this is the biggest lie in the history of human civilisation. 'Usually, only bankrupt political parties with no ideas will resort to racial sentiments,' he told the weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia.
The Star
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Parliament meeting scheduled for June postponed one month, say sources
PETALING JAYA: The second meeting of Parliament, originally scheduled for June, has been postponed to July, say sources. A notice issued to government MPs and sighted by The Star stated that the June 23 to July 31 meeting would now take place from July 21 to Aug 28. "Among the key agenda are several government Bills and the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP)," read the notice. Several government MPs confirmed they had received the notice. On March 11, the Economy Ministry announced that it was in the final stages of preparing the 13MP document, with plans to table it at the next parliamentary meeting. Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib said 13MP, which will chart Malaysia's socio-economic development from 2026 to 2030, is being formulated in line with the objectives of the Madani economy framework. "The 13MP is vital to ensuring Malaysia's successful transition to a high-income economy within the plan's timeframe," she said. Several other important Bills expected to be tabled in the second meeting include the Gig Workers Bill, Urban Renewal Bill and the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill.
Free Malaysia Today
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Wrong to accuse URA detractors of stoking racial fear, says Pejuang man
Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali said those who accuse opponents of the Urban Renewal Bill of stoking racial tension are 'barking up the wrong tree'. PETALING JAYA : Accusing detractors of the proposed urban renewal law of stoking racial fear or tension is a gross misunderstanding of the bill, Pejuang information chief Rafique Rashid Ali said. Rafique said those who made such claims were 'barking up the wrong tree', adding that in some cases, those in government had racialised the matter. In a statement today, he said no one was against urbanisation or improving the living conditions of Malaysians of all races and creeds. However, the proposed legislation, in its original form, was a threat that cut across every segment of society, irrespective of race. For one, the Urban Renewal Act (URA) will empower a committee at federal and state levels to declare any space as urban renewal areas by way of a government gazette. He said there is no known court mechanism in the bill to bring parties' grievances if one were to contest the said notification. 'Currently, anyone dissatisfied with any takeover or development can bring the matter to court. 'However, the URA bill is silent on this,' he said. Rafique also said under the proposed law, the consent threshold is lowered, with buildings above 30 years of age subject to urban renewal if 75% of the owners agree. While for abandoned buildings, the requirement is 50% or half of the owners consent to it. He also said the URA mechanism does not elaborate on market value or fair compensation, but instead makes mention of value which is not less than what the owner can get before the execution of the intended urban renewal. 'To simplify and pigeon hole everyone who is against the URA bill as stoking racial fear or tension represents total failure to understand the said bill,' he said. He said the threats posed to the people is why there is a need for a proper full study of the URA, not only by those living in People's Housing Programme (PPR) homes, but by residents in gated and guarded condominium complexes whose building is 30 years old. 'The URA, if not modified to suit the legal and lawful demands of ordinary Malaysians, will lead to a class war between the poor rakyat and the oligarchy developers,' he said. In a letter published earlier today, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid hit out at some quarters of the opposition for resorting to 'an all-too-familiar playbook of using race to stoke fear'. Earlier this year, Syerleena had also questioned the intention of those opposing the proposed URA in the wake of the opposition's claims that it was a subtle move to displace the Malays and Indians.
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.
The Star
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PAS Youth to organise peaceful protest against Urban Renewal Bill on June 14
KUALA LUMPUR: A peaceful protest against the proposed Urban Renewal Bill will be held in the Klang Valley on June 14, says PAS Youth. PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden told Sinar Harian that genuine development should not be used as a tool for marginalisation or oppression of the people, especially those who are vulnerable and at risk of losing their homes and original communities. "PAS Youth does not reject the principle of viable and inclusive urban redevelopment. "However, we emphasise that any implementation of the Urban Renewal Act (URA) must be conducted fairly, transparently, and without sacrificing the rights of the original residents for the benefit of stakeholders," he told the Malay language daily at a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut on Saturday (May 3). He added that at the same time, PAS Youth would mobilise representatives to submit protest memorandums regarding the Bill to all MPs in their respective areas.
