KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Association (KLRA+SD) has welcomed the government’s decision to withdraw and amend the proposed Urban Renewal Bill (URA), describing the move as appropriate and timely following extensive public feedback.
KLRA+SD said that in recent months, various groups and communities had raised concerns over the Bill, citing the need for stronger safeguards, greater public participation in decision-making, and fair compensation that does not disadvantage property owners.
The association said the pause provides an opportunity for the government to engage meaningfully with residents’ associations and civil society groups to strengthen the urban renewal framework.
“We hope the government will use this time to engage relevant residents’ associations and civil society groups in strengthening the framework to ensure fair and equitable urban renewal,” it said in a statement.
KLRA+SD said that urban renewal should not be reduced to technical debates over consent thresholds, but must prioritise the needs and welfare of affected communities.
The group also called for broader national engagement, noting that housing and planning policies carry long-term implications that extend beyond the tenure of any single administration.
“As housing and development planning policies have wide-ranging impacts on the country that go beyond the government of the day, we call on the government to conduct an earnest multilateral national consultation,” it said, urging the inclusion of public feedback, professional bodies and academia.
Despite supporting the withdrawal of the Bill, KLRA+SD cautioned that uncertainty remains due to the number of redevelopment applications already in the pipeline, particularly in Kuala Lumpur.
“We urge the government, the Federal Territories Department and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to impose a moratorium on redevelopment approvals and to comprehensively review and revamp Kuala Lumpur’s urban renewal guidelines,” it said.
KLRA+SD added that the intense public debate surrounding the Bill reflected a strong willingness among communities to engage constructively with the government on urban development issues.
Earlier today, government spokesman Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the cabinet had agreed to withdraw the proposed Urban Renewal Bill to allow for amendments and additions before it is re-tabled in Parliament.
Speaking at his ministry’s weekly press conference, Fahmi said ministers agreed on the need for legislation that addresses housing issues in urban areas “with fairness and justice”.
The move followed remarks by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who said his ministry is prepared to re-table the Bill for its second reading, pending cabinet approval.
The second reading of the Bill had been scheduled for Aug 28 but was postponed after it was not debated during the previous sitting.
The postponement followed concerns and objections raised by members of parliament from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
