Govt to improve URA to address concerns on demographic, consent threshold

Summary

• Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming says the government will amend the Urban Renewal Bill to address concerns over demographic composition in renewal areas.

• He says bill will also be revised to raise and standardise the consent threshold for property owners to 80 percent, up from 75 percent.

PARLIAMENT | The government will introduce amendments to several provisions under the controversial Urban Renewal Bill to address concerns over demographic composition and the threshold of consent from property owners.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said this during the second reading of the proposed law in the Dewan Rakyat this evening.

"Clause 18 (of the bill) explains the proposal report for urban renewal projects.

"The ministry is aware of the concerns raised by many parties regarding the demographic composition of areas involved in urban renewal projects.

"Hence, the ministry will amend this clause accordingly to guarantee the demographic (composition) of the affected areas, subject to details that will be discussed with the Attorney-General's Chambers," he said.

Nga told the august house that they would also amend Clause 19, which stipulates the consent threshold required from the owners or occupiers of a lot before an urban renewal project can be carried out.

The decision to improve the provision was derived from a special consultation session between the ministry and the Parliament Special Select Committee on Infrastructure, Transportation and Communication.

"All consent thresholds will be standardised at 80 percent regardless of the building’s age.

"This increase from 75 percent is still reasonable to provide sufficient consideration in implementing urban renewal projects with integrity and fairness to all parties involved," he said.

Debates deferred

Earlier today, the government decided to postpone debates on the bill to the next Dewan Rakyat sitting in October.

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

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

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

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

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

According to Berita Harian, he believed the bill should be reviewed, taking into account concerns raised by many parties.

Saying no

On Tuesday, pro-Perikatan Nasional groups and federal territories residents’ associations gathered outside Parliament to submit memorandums objecting to the bill.

PN and its 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.

Last week, Subang MP Wong Chen led PKR lawmakers in a call for the URA's second reading to be postponed, citing concerns over the low consent threshold.

Reporting by Hariz Mohd, Zarrah Morden, N Faizal Ghazali

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