PETALING JAYA: The government’s deferment of the highly-contested Urban Renewal Act (URA) will ensure the proposed law is fair and balanced through further engagement with the people, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.
While he praised the government’s decision to defer the Bill’s second hearing in Parliament on Thursday (Aug 28), the Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the government must use this period to refine the Bill.
“I have previously expressed support for urban renewal efforts as they are much needed to rejuvenate ageing buildings, improve living conditions and uplift the value of our cities.
“But urban renewal must be carried out in the right way – with transparency, fairness and adequate safeguards – so that it truly becomes a win-win for all stakeholders,” he said in a press statement on Saturday (Aug 30).
Speaking on what the Bill could improve on, Lee suggested that the Bill to have a clear and fair compensation mechanism that was transparent and benchmarked against current property market values.
“Additional considerations should be given for long-time residents, small businesses and vulnerable groups to ensure they are not unfairly displaced.
“Mechanisms must also be in place to protect those who may not agree to redevelopment, so they are not left disadvantaged, such as fair dispute resolution processes, mediation and arbitration,” he said.
He also suggested that any redevelopment proposals to be evaluated by independent bodies to ensure public interest is not lost to commercial gains.
Lee also believed that a consent threshold for redevelopment of 80% from property owners would be sufficient to ensure progress while safeguarding minority rights.
The URA was tabled for its second reading in Parliament on Thursday but was neither debated nor put to a vote, with it then being deferred to the upcoming October Parliament session.
URA, which aims to replace outdated legislation and regulations on the redevelopment of dilapidated buildings in urban areas, has seen massive protests and resistance over the past week from MPs from both sides of the political divide as well as from the people.
