Delegates at the PAS muktamar today unanimously passed a resolution to reject the Urban Renewal Bill.
Titiwangsa PAS delegate Suhaimi Abdul Aziz said when tabling the motion that the bill must be used as a “time bomb” to be set off in the 16th general election (GE16).
He said the bill cannot be looked at from a racial perspective, but must be seen as an opaque and hastily drafted policy that threatens urban Malaysians of all races.
“I have been informed that there are over 90 locations in the federal territories, with residents comprising Malays, Chinese and Indians, that are set to be developed.
“It is not a racial, political or anti-development issue, but concerns the residents’ rights which have been negated and their futures denied,” Suhaimi said.
He added that the commotion that broke out in Kampung Sungai Baru last week is a preview of what the bill’s implementation will look like if it is passed.
He also expressed disappointment that the bill was only discussed by delegates from the federal territories and Penang.
“They may not feel it in other states, but in the federal territories, especially Kuala Lumpur, how many marginalised people have had their rights denied because they were unable to buy the houses they used to own?” he said.
The resolution was one of five tabled and debated in the muktamar this year. It was also supported by Tangga Batu delegate Bakri Jamaluddin.
When debating the bill, Bakri said the severe impact of the bill must be fully understood, including the overly wide powers it grants to certain parties.
