STAKEHOLDERS are calling for a complete redraft of the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA), arguing that it unfairly concentrates power in the Federal Government and undermines the constitutional authority of state and local bodies over land matters.
Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said the draft URA went against Malaysia’s spirit of federalism by treating state and local authorities as mere executors.
“Under the current Bill, the executive committee at federal level has the power to choose sites for renewal as well as select developers to carry out projects.
“This is against the spirit of federalism practised in Malaysia.
“State and local authorities have better understanding of land and property matters as these are their jurisdiction outlined in the State List under the Federal Constitution,” he said during the URA Convention organised by Umno at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.
Mohd Jafni stressed that power must be shared, with state and local authorities selecting developers and approving projects, while the Federal Government played an advisory and supportive role such as providing funding.
He added that urban renewal must be a bottom-up approach and not be used to create federal dominance.
Ketereh Umno chief Datuk Seri Md Alwi Che Ahmad questioned the lack of check and balance, pointing out that the Federal Government could pick any site for redevelopment and appoint more than half the members of the executive committee.
Selayang Umno chief Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican said the Bill would strip the public of their right to participate in redevelopment projects, as it lacked provision for mandatory public hearings.
He contrasted the Bill with the existing Town and Country Planning Act 1976 which mandates public hearings.
Hasnal called for the rejection of the Bill, suggesting any new urban renewal legislation be implemented as a subsidiary law under the 1976 Act.
The Bill, tabled for first reading in Parliament in August before its second reading was postponed amid widespread protests, is facing mounting opposition.
The convention, attended by representatives of non-governmental organisations and residents’ associations as well as housing and legal experts, culminated in three main resolutions handed over to Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
The resolutions demand the government redraft the URA Bill completely before re-tabling in Parliament; conduct a comprehensive study and amendment on 10 existing urban development laws including Land Acquisition Act 1960 and Town and Country Planning Act 1976, while the URA is being redrafted; and form a specific agency dedicated to urban redevelopment to monitor all related projects across cities.
