An Umno leader has urged housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming to delay the Urban Renewal Bill or risk tarnishing the government’s image by having it shot down in the Dewan Rakyat.
Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi said Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs were highly likely to oppose the bill, while several Pakatan Harapan backbenchers had also signalled their disagreement with the proposed law.
He advised Nga to refer the bill to a parliamentary committee and hold further engagements instead of pushing it through.
“The minister must remember, there have been two occasions where government bills were rejected by the Senate.
“The government’s image will be severely tarnished if the bill fails,” he said in a Facebook post.
Earlier, BN deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan said the coalition’s 30 MPs wanted the bill delayed and reviewed to allow for engagements to be held with stakeholders.
The opposition has also rejected the bill, while seven PKR MPs have called for the proposed law to be postponed.
The proposed Urban Renewal Act seeks to replace outdated legislation and regulations governing the redevelopment of dilapidated urban areas.
Critics have pointed to the lowered consent threshold, saying it may undermine the rights of residents in the minority by forcing them to comply with the majority of residents who wish to have their areas redeveloped.
The government has repeatedly said that residents’ rights will be safeguarded through fair compensation and protective measures.
