DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook has dismissed claims that the Urban Renewal Bill is merely his party’s agenda, emphasising that it is part of the government’s broader initiative.
According to Sinar Harian, Loke said no bill can be tabled in Parliament without Cabinet approval, adding that the prime minister himself had repeatedly affirmed his commitment to redeveloping old and dilapidated public housing.
“I find this strange. Why must it be said that this is on the DAP agenda? This is on the Madani government’s agenda because any bill tabled by a minister is not a party agenda any more.
“So, don’t point fingers, saying this is a party agenda and so on. Our system doesn’t work that way,” he told reporters after an event in Seremban today.
Loke said he was open to discussing any shortcomings in the bill and criticised the opposition for playing up claims that the bill was on the DAP agenda.
“In the Dewan Rakyat, I heard the opposition leader support it. He only said there are certain matters that need to be negotiated, and that is what we will do,” he added.
The transport minister said the bill should not be politicised, noting that it had already been considered when Perikatan Nasional was in power.
The housing and local government minister under the PN administration had initiated the drafting of the Urban Renewal Bill in 2021.
“The only thing was that they didn’t implement it. What is clearly stated in principle is that it is to assist in urban redevelopment, especially in major cities like Kuala Lumpur.
“I feel there are a few matters that need to be clarified — that this bill guarantees the rights of landowners,” Loke said.
On Thursday, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said the bill would be amended to reflect a new consent rule after the proposed law received a pushback from MPs and civil groups.
He said all redevelopment projects under the bill would now require the agreement of 80% of owners, regardless of the age of the building.
Previously, the bill had proposed a lower consent threshold for certain types of buildings, namely 75% for those over 30 years old and only 51% for abandoned or unsafe ones.
