Opposition criticises govt failure to furnish Urban Renewal Bill ahead of tabling

Summary

• Opposition criticises the government for not providing the Urban Renewal Bill ahead of tabling, claiming it was rushed and has a hidden agenda.

• Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin argues that Parliament no longer has freedom of speech and has become like a “school session” under a strict “headmaster”.

The opposition has criticised the government for failing to provide the draft bill of the Urban Renewal Act, despite its tabling being only days away.

Kota Bharu MP Takiyuddin Hassan said that this matter not only raises concerns but also suggests that the bill was drafted in a rushed manner and with ulterior motives.

“As of today, the blue bill of the proposed law is still not on MPs’ desks, and we only have eight days left.

“We don’t understand why it is so delayed. Ideally, the bill should have been tabled early in the session. Some bills have still not been presented to this day.

“In conclusion, this bill is being pushed through hastily and appears to have a hidden agenda,” he told a press conference alongside opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin at Parliament today.

Subtle pushing

Yesterday, opposition MPs described the proposed law as a subtle way to push poor Malays and Indians out of urban areas.

This is because, under the bill, the government seeks to lower the consent threshold for the redevelopment of strata housing.

Muda’s Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the government should rename it the “House-Grabbing Act”, claiming it would reduce the development consent threshold from 100 percent to 80 percent.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming refuted this yesterday, saying 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.

‘School session and headmaster’

Hamzah argued that Parliament no longer enjoys freedom of speech, as MPs are frequently prevented from raising issues or questions by the Dewan Rakyat speaker.

He claimed that Parliament is no longer a place for lawmakers but has instead become a “school session” under the watch of a strict “headmaster.”

“When gag orders and similar restrictions arise, we sometimes feel that the Dewan Rakyat should be free because we are lawmakers. But today, we are no longer lawmakers; we are schoolchildren.

“And it’s not just a monitor overseeing us—it’s a headmaster who is extremely strict. ‘Do not speak, sit in class, do not ask questions.’ The teacher only has a few minutes, and you just sit and watch. If you don’t understand, just keep watching,” he said.

Hamzah also raised concerns about the shortage of local rice in the market, blaming it on cartels, which he claimed the government has failed to address.

He shared that during a recent visit to a supermarket in Cheras, he found no local rice available.

Instead, only imported rice was being sold at RM48 per bag, with a RM15 discount offered.

“Think logically—if they can afford to give a RM15 discount, there must be a cartel at play... The government needs to realise this.

“The supermarket manager told me that only on weekends is rice sold at RM2.60 per kg under the Rahmah Sales programme—but that’s only 300 bags," he added.

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