The menteris besar of the four Perikatan Nasional-led states have rejected the Urban Renewal Bill, claiming that it undermines their states’ autonomy to conduct their own urban planning.
The Urban Renewal Bill was tabled for its first reading last Thursday and is aimed at replacing outdated legislation to facilitate the redevelopment of old and dilapidated urban areas. The bill’s second and third readings are scheduled for tomorrow.
In a joint statement today, the menteris besar of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis said the Town and Country Act 1976 (Act 172) clearly stipulates that urban planning falls under the executive jurisdiction of the state.
“The Act also takes into account the need for land use control and appropriate urban development, in line with the policies of each state government, as well as the needs, attitudes, and culture of the local population,” they said.
“This approach is more holistic as it considers the development aspirations of each state, harmonised with the cultural character of its people.”
They also said that the bill did not specify clear mechanisms for compensation and protection of landowners, raising concerns that it might disrupt the balance of ethnic communities and property ownership in urban areas, especially among the Bumiputeras.
“We are deeply concerned that without clear implementation mechanisms, the Urban Renewal Act might create communal divides in cities which would threaten national harmony,” they said.
The statement was issued by Kelantan menteri besar Nassuruddin Daud, Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor, and Perlis menteri besar Shukri Ramli.
Seven PKR MPs last week called for the second reading of the bill to be postponed due to concerns over the consent threshold under the proposed law.
Civil society and residents’ groups have also expressed anxiety over the impact of the proposed law on density and the extent to which stakeholders will be engaged.
