Debates on Urban Renewal Bill pushed to October

Summary

• The government defers debates on the Urban Renewal Bill to the October Dewan Rakyat session following strong objections from both government and opposition MPs.

• Opposition figures and civil society groups celebrate the move, calling it a victory.

PARLIAMENT | The government has decided to postpone debates on the controversial Urban Renewal Bill to the next Dewan Rakyat meeting in October.

This followed heavy pushback against the proposal, which has been criticised by many quarters, including both government and opposition MPs.

However, it has yet to be ascertained if the postponement had to do with the resistance or otherwise.

A source close to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming confirmed to Malaysiakini that the bill would not be debated today, which is the last day for the present meeting.

The opposition celebrated the deferment, with PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) calling it a "victory".

"URA would not be debated and voted on today. This is another victory for the rakyat.

"Continue resisting," he said on Facebook.

Calls to postpone

Many quarters, including from parties that support the government, had urged Putrajaya to postpone the second reading of the proposed law.

Earlier today, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan reportedly said BN MPs supported the call for the postponement.

Speaking to the media in Negeri Sembilan, he believed the bill should be reviewed, taking into account concerns raised by many parties.

"I have held a meeting with BN MPs, all of whom have shared their concerns and wanted the bill to be postponed," he was quoted by Berita Harian as saying.

Objections abound

Gathering outside Parliament two days ago, pro-Perikatan Nasional groups and federal territories residents’ associations submitted memorandums objecting to the bill.

Government and opposition MPs, including Hassan Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang), Wong Chen (Harapan-Subang), Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai), Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian), and Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), accepted the memorandums from the group.

The menteris besar of the four PN-led states - Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis - also objected to the URA today through a joint statement.

PN and their supporters have argued that the URA risks upsetting the racial balance in cities to the detriment of Malays.

They also claimed the proposed legislation lacks clear protection and compensation mechanisms.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | What is the Urban Renewal Act?

Last week, Wong led PKR lawmakers in a call for the URA's second reading to be postponed.

They argued that the consent thresholds proposed in the bill are too low.

Reporting by Hariz Mohd, Zarrah Morden, N Faizal Ghazali

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