More stakeholders' support since URA deferment, says Nga

PARLIAMENT | Renewed engagements on the Urban Renewal Bill 2025 have yielded more stakeholders’ support, including from participants of the National Planning Congress, according to Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

In his winding-up speech of debates on the Procurement Bill 2026, Nga said the two-day congress, which ended today, saw the participation of over 5,000 attendees.

"The government remains attentive to the voices of the people in ensuring inclusivity for public welfare and well-being," he said, citing the deferment of the bill's second reading, initially scheduled on Aug 28.

"This deferment allows the ministry to continue conducting more focused and holistic stakeholder engagements to refine the draft bill.

On Aug 28, the government postponed debates on the controversial Urban Renewal Bill to the current Dewan Rakyat meeting.

"Since the deferment, consultations have been held with the state governments of Kedah and Terengganu, the Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), the Bar Council, political parties, and, of course, the people themselves - who remain the top priority for the URA," he said.

"It is gratifying to note that during the National Planning Congress (NPC) held on Oct 28 and Oct 29, attended by 1,500 participants, there was full support expressed for the bill, which will be re-tabled in Parliament later this year," he added.

Comprehensive review process

Nga said this in response to Lee Chean Chung (Harapan-Petaling Jaya) and Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan), who raised issues surrounding the URA Bill in their Budget 2026 debates.

He added that the ministry has also accepted a resolution from Umno, which listed 14 proposals to improve the bill.

"It must be reiterated that the bill has undergone a comprehensive review process, involving 122 stakeholder engagements, including presentations to the Special Select Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, and Communications held three times - on Oct 17, 2024, Aug 13, 2025, and Oct 2," he said.

The bill was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 21. It was widely panned, particularly by the opposition, who claimed that it would sideline the Malays.

As a result, the second reading of the bill was postponed amid heavy pushback, with the government promising a review.

Nga on Oct 4 expressed readiness to postpone the tabling of the bill for second reading until the conclusion of the current debates and winding-up of Budget 2026.

Reporting by Alyaa Alhadjri, Zarrah Morden, N Faizal Ghazali

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