URA: PM slams those proud of twin towers but want to keep Malays poor

Summary

• The prime minister claims those against the Urban Renewal Act would rather see Malays remain in poverty so they can be more easily “controlled” and “influenced”.

• He says his conscience won’t allow him to let the urban poor issue persist while the nation prides itself in luxuries.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim lashed out at critics of the government’s proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA), asserting that those opposing it have a hidden agenda to ensure Malays stay impoverished.

Addressing Finance Ministry staffers at a monthly assembly today, Anwar said his conscience does not allow him to stand by indifferently while urban poor residents live in squalid conditions.

“Should they be made to live that way for generations when we have every luxury (such as) great landmarks, the (KLCC) twin towers, and bridges?

“These are all great things, but at the same time, a majority of the urban poor community are living in (bad) conditions. I can’t allow it; it tugs at my conscience,” said Anwar, who is also the finance minister.

Earlier in his speech, he reminisced on visiting a low-cost flat in Sri Perlis, Kuala Lumpur, where families of six or more were cramped into one-bedroom homes and shared one bathroom.

He said such families are likely to stay in their homes for generations.

Commenting on certain quarters who opposed the potential law for a variety of reasons, Anwar said some are intent on keeping Malays uneducated and poor so they can be “manipulated”.

“This is called the dependency syndrome theory by Samir Amin, (where) the rakyat is weakened so they can be controlled while also being given little education so they can be easily incited through race and religion. This is the problem,” he said.

Reiterating his assurances that the URA will not alter the status of affected lands, he also asserted that those opposing the Act have yet to present any counter-suggestions.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Urban Renewal Act - what do we know so far?

Anwar previously told the Dewan Rakyat that the proposed Act would not force property owners to surrender their homes or alter the ethnic composition of residential areas.

The prime minister also assured that the URA would not contain provisions which could lead to owners, irrespective of their race, losing ownership of their property.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man previously claimed the URA is a subtle method to displace poor Malays and Indians from urban areas as they would be unable to repurchase their homes due to increased costs.

The allegation was repeated by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who said the enforcement of the Act would see only the wealthy and business owners able to afford living in urban areas, leaving the future of the Malay community uncertain.

The proposed legislation will likely be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in June or July.

COMMENT | Better ways to do urban renewal

YOURSAY | Urban renewal should not be at expense of the poor

91 KL housing sites ripe for urban renewal, bumi quotas in place

Urban Renewal Act: Hard to believe Anwar's promise, Dr M says