KUALA LUMPUR: The government respects the right of assembly and has no issue with PAS Youth’s planned rally in protest of the Urban Renewal Bill, says Nga Kor Ming.
However, the Housing and Local Government Minister urged organisers to engage the issue with rational discussion instead of inflaming sentiment.
“We respect the right to assemble as long as it is done peacefully.
“From what we have done (to ensure safety), including during the ‘Turun Anwar‘ campaign, I wish them all the best.
“That’s my response. However, I still think that eventually, let’s talk sense,” Nga said after attending a Concorde Club meeting here on Friday (Sept 19).
Also present was The Star Media Group deputy executive editor Christina Chin.
The Concorde Club is an informal group of editors and senior journalists who meet with politicians and key policy makers.
Previous guests of the Concorde Club, led by Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Anthony Loke and Nurul Izzah Anwar.
On Sept 18, PAS Youth invited parties and NGOs to help organise an Oct 4 rally in the city against the Bill.
The group insists that the Bill is skewed towards developers and says it will continue resisting it.
Nga, however, questioned if Perikatan Nasional’s four state governments opposed their own proposals made previously.
“There are 534 urban renewal areas which were proposed and gazetted by state governments, including the four states.
“Terengganu has 55 sites gazetted, Kedah has 22 and Kelantan has four urban renewal areas proposed.
“So are they opposing what they themselves proposed? I don’t know. Let the people judge,” he said.
He added that some gazetted areas in PAS-led states date back to 2015.
“They proposed the gazettement but have done nothing. Either there is a lacuna in the law that stops them from doing anything or there is no political will to help residents living in dilapidated flats,” he said.
Nga argued it would be more reasonable for PAS state governments to resolve the issues in areas they had already gazetted instead of holding a rally.
“It is so obvious that this is purely political and just inflaming sentiment,” he said.
On the government’s intentions, Nga said that the ministry would abide by the Cabinet’s decision.
“Our intentions are bona fide. If the Cabinet decides to proceed, we will. As a responsible government, it is our duty to do the right thing,” he said.
He also expressed concern for the next generation if urban renewal efforts are not implemented.
“I do not want our next generation to continue living in slums if nothing is done,” he said.
Nga added that many buildings that are currently in a dilapidated state will no longer be habitable within 20 years.
“They will become dangerous and unsafe,” he said.
The Bill is expected to be debated in the next parliamentary meeting starting Oct 6.
It seeks to facilitate redevelopment projects by lowering the consent threshold required from residents, depending on the age of the building.
While residents are entitled to compensation under the draft law, critics say the provisions are insufficient.
PAS has alleged that redevelopment could lead to Malays being marginalised in urban areas.
The government has pledged to refine the Bill, particularly with regards to demographic safeguards and consent thresholds.
