KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Select Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Communications has urged for greater scrutiny of the Urban Renewal Bill (URA) 2025, tabled in Parliament today.
Chairman Yusuf Abd Wahab said that the Committee had examined the Bill in depth, holding two prior sessions with the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), the first on Oct 17, 2024, and the second on Aug 13, 2025.
While agreeing with most of the explanations given during its engagements, the Committee called for further clarification on several matters.
“For example, the proposed consent thresholds of 75 per cent for buildings more than 30 years old and 80 per cent for those less than 30 years require closer study to ensure more reasonable assessments,” Yusuf said.
He also raised concerns over fairness in compensation.
“There are concerns that owners who do not agree may only receive lower compensation compared to those who agree, even though their rights as original owners are the same. This situation could create a sense of unfairness and pose risks to the smooth implementation of the project,” he said.
Yusuf, who is also Tanjong Manis member of parliament, said that the committee will continue to hold engagement sessions with the Ministry regarding its proposals.
“At the same time, the Ministry will also be holding an engagement session with all Members of Parliament next Monday regarding this Bill,” he added.
The chairman confirmed that a letter dated Aug 20 had been sent by him to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming requesting that the Bill’s second reading be postponed.
Earlier today, Opposition lawmaker Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan revealed the letter in the Dewan Rakyat as the Bill was being tabled, using it as justification to request a similar delay.
“(The letter) should not have been disclosed or misused by any other party in the Dewan Rakyat for specific purposes,” he said.
Yusuf also said that the Committee acknowledges the importance of the Bill and, if the second and third readings of the Bill proceed as expected, issues may still be raised during the debates.
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