Urban Renewal Act: Minister refutes 'malicious' Syed Saddiq

Summary

• Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming refutes Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s claim on the Urban Renewal Act, assuring that the proposed Act protects original property ownership without forced acquisition.

• He says the Act ensures higher property value and better infrastructure while preventing eviction or gentrification.

• Critics fear the Act could displace poor Malays and Indians, with Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat stressing the need to protect urban demographics.

PARLIAMENT | Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has refuted Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s (Muda-Muar) claim that the Urban Renewal Act is akin to a “House-Grabbing Act”.

He assured that the proposed Act safeguards the original ownership of properties and that no party would forcibly seize them, dismissing critics’ concerns that it could marginalise certain communities.

“This Act, whether explicitly or implicitly, will not marginalise or threaten any group, particularly in terms of racial differences or income levels, specifically the B40 and M40 groups.

“There is no element of coercion or gentrification in drafting this Act, as a key implementation mechanism of the Urban Renewal Act is to obtain the consent of property owners through negotiation, not through forced acquisition,” Nga said.

He was giving a winding-up speech on the royal address debate for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He further stated that property owners would benefit from higher property values following development carried out according to government-set guidelines.

“By ensuring that property owners gain new properties with higher values, we aim to maintain their residence in the same area, surrounded by improved infrastructure and a better-quality environment.

“Retaining original owners and residents proves that there are no elements of land or property seizure, nor issues related to oppression, eviction, or gentrification,” he added.

Critics previously expressed concerns that the Act, set to be introduced by the government, could become the “biggest betrayal” to urban poor communities by putting them at risk of being displaced.

Yesterday, Syed Saddiq said the government should rename it the “House-Grabbing Act”, claiming it would reduce the development consent threshold from 100 percent to 80 percent.

‘Malicious Muar’

Responding to Syed Saddiq's criticism, Nga hit back at the former minister, accusing him of making malicious and slanderous allegations in the Dewan Rakyat.

“(The Act) has a very noble intention, not an act of seizure. This is a false statement with malicious intent aimed at misleading the house, especially after attending a briefing session.

“He entered the house and immediately spread slander.

“Muar’s intentions are truly malicious, entering the house and spreading slander. I urge him to repent and not repeat such actions,” Nga added.

Earlier, another opposition MP described the Act as a subtle tactic to displace poor Malays and Indians from urban areas.

Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Mat (PN-Kubang Kerian) pointed out that instead of introducing new laws for development, the more important thing was to ensure a single race does not monopolise urban demographics.

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