Opposition MPs ready to face suspension over URA objection

Summary

• PN lawmakers set to oppose URA bill, which will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.

• Despite insufficient opposition numbers, Takiyuddin is confident that government MPs share their concerns.

Opposition MPs will go all out to oppose the Urban Renewal Bill (URA) 2025 that is set to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow, said Perikatan Nasional chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan.

In reiterating calls for the bill to be withdrawn, Takiyuddin stressed that all 68 PN MPs were prepared to face a six-month suspension from Parliament to show their seriousness in rejecting the proposed law.

“We opposition MPs will continue to demand that the bill be withdrawn and not debated tomorrow, not passed tomorrow. If they don’t withdraw it, we’ll see what happens. We don’t care if they want to suspend us for six months, so be it.

“We will still oppose this bill all out tomorrow. The people’s support is our strength, our fighting spirit to bring into Parliament,” the Kota Bharu MP said while addressing more than 100 supporters who handed over a protest memorandum to MPs outside the main entrance of Parliament today.

Takiyuddin said that although the opposition’s numbers were insufficient, he was confident that government bloc MPs shared their concerns.

“Tomorrow we will fight to defend the people’s rights. Maybe we won’t succeed. The ones who can ensure our struggle succeeds are the people.

“If today, one day before the URA is debated, the people can gather here, I can guarantee even more will come tomorrow to show support - regardless of race, ethnicity, or political ideology - to Parliament to oppose this oppressive law,” he said.

New direction

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming tabled the bill for first reading on Aug 21.

The second and third readings are scheduled for tomorrow. Nga previously said the bill marks a new direction to ensure urban development in Malaysia remains sustainable, progressive, prosperous, and inclusive.

According to him, 101 engagement sessions were held with various stakeholders, including two with parliamentary select committees, in preparing the bill.

Nga said the engagement covered property developers, homebuyers’ associations, community activists, academics, MPs, and political parties.

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

Lying over bill’s framework

In a separate press conference in Parliament, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the bill had triggered nationwide opposition compared to other bills previously tabled.

“From the time the idea was brought up, we found that the people had already begun voicing objections. Not just ordinary citizens, but also stakeholders, including housing developers,” he said.

He further alleged that the government was not transparent and had lied in the bill’s framework.

“The government said it had engaged with all parties, but once it was tabled, many groups objected.

“So did they really engage everyone? It’s not impossible that if they push ahead with this bill, the people will gather in large-scale protests - and it’s not impossible this will be the tipping point for the fall of the Madani government,” he said.

Takiyuddin also stressed that if the second reading proceeds and is debated, PN would demand a bloc vote.

“I want to say this in advance. Tomorrow, if this bill is read a second time, debated, and wrapped up by the minister, we will request a bloc vote.

“With a bloc vote, we want to know which MPs support it, which reject it. Let the people see this clearly. We are giving early notice that we will ask for a bloc vote,” he said.

Reporting by N Faizal Ghazali, Hariz Mohd, Alyaa Alhadjri

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