Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today hit back at the opposition over claims that the government’s proposed Urban Renewal Bill is aimed at displacing the Malay community.
Anwar said he was not a puppet that could be used to drive the Malays out of urban areas to make way for Chinese housing ownership.
“Don’t accuse us of sidelining or oppressing the Malays. That is simply not true. Part of my responsibility is to ensure the survival and welfare of the Malays in cities. I do not want to see them left destitute.
“So let’s stop peddling the notion of a Chinese strategy to strip away Malay rights. I reject that. I am not a puppet,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during Prime Minister’s Question Time.
He was responding to opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN–Larut), who had called for the government to postpone the subsequent readings of the bill.
Hamzah said the opposition was willing to discuss any contentious provisions before the bill is debated in Parliament.
Anwar said the opposition should put forward constructive proposals for improvements rather than resorting to baseless accusations that the government was betraying, oppressing, or undermining the Malays.
“If there are good proposals (for amendments), we will accept them. Don’t just resort to insults. Criticism is welcome, and if necessary, we can make amendments,” he said.
On Tuesday, opposition MPs declared that they were prepared to face suspension from Parliament for six months in protest against the bill.
Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan said the opposition would oppose the bill “all the way” and demand its withdrawal.
The Urban Renewal Bill was tabled for first reading by housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming last Thursday. Its second and third readings are scheduled for today.
