Residents of the Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park (KEP) low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur have urged the government to halt proceeding with the recently tabled Urban Renewal Bill, until it includes provisions for an independent tribunal.
KEP warned that minority strata property owners’ objections risk being sidelined without such a safeguard under the proposed law.
Spearheaded by the housing and local government ministry, the bill seeks to lower the threshold of strata property owners’ consent to 80% for buildings under 30 years old, 75% for those over 30 years old, and 51% for abandoned properties.
In a statement today, the residents said the bill is flawed as it lacks a neutral tribunal to hear appeals from minority strata property owners quickly, affordably, and fairly.
They said that affected owners can presently only turn to the High Court, the Commissioner of Buildings, or the Strata Management Tribunal, all of which the residents described as inadequate due to high costs, complex procedures, or limited jurisdiction.
The residents argued that Singapore and Hong Kong already rely on quasi-judicial bodies like the Strata Titles Board and Lands Tribunal to handle forced sale applications and redevelopment disputes, which they said proves that an independent tribunal is a model that Malaysia should adopt.
“The vote on the bill should be postponed until an independent tribunal is included and protections for vulnerable groups are clearly detailed.
“Without this tribunal, the voices of the elderly, persons with disabilities, and low-income households will be drowned out by the power of the majority and market forces.
“If the Urban Renewal Act (URA) is to be a just law, it must place minority rights at the centre, not at the margins,” KEP said.
Apart from a tribunal, the resident also urged the government to set fair compensation standards and right-to-return guarantees that reflect not only financial loss but also the loss of social networks, urban access, and community values.
The residents also raised concerns over reports of late-night harassment, inducements, and efforts to bypass the joint management body in securing redevelopment consent.
They stressed that residents must be given full disclosure of compensation packages, building specifications, and reasonable time to decide, free from coercion.
They also called for low-cost housing, People’s Housing Programme (PPR) flats, affordable homes, and heritage housing to be excluded from any forced disposal mechanisms under the URA.
The Urban Renewal Bill was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday and set for its second and third readings next Wednesday.
