PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rubbished allegations that the proposed Urban Renewal Act will marginalise Malays and the Bumiputra community from urban development.
The Prime Minister’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said Anwar has again dismissed allegations by certain quarters related to the proposed Act.
“The Prime Minister reiterated that the law will not force any land or property owners to be evicted, nor will it alter the percentage of bumiputra ownership in any area or change the ethnic composition of any area.
“The main goal of the Act is to ensure improvements in quality of life in urban communities.
“This will simultaneously enhance the quality of life for the Malay community itself,” said Tunku Nashrul in the Prime Minister’s Office daily briefing.
Earlier, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed that he finds it hard to believe that the Urban Renewal Act will not affect the fate of the Malay community in urban areas.
Anwar had told the Dewan Rakyat last month that the Urban Renewal Bill, which will be tabled this year, will not alter the status of affected lands.
Tunku Nashrul said the Prime Minister also reminded the public not to fall for slanderous statements posted on social media, with a recent one involving the azan (call to prayer) that is aimed at creating public unrest.
He cited a recent incident of an individual who had repeated an old, malicious, and slanderous narrative regarding the azan (call to prayer).
“The Prime Minister said this must be stopped to avoid any negative impact on the society and country,” he said.
Tunku Nashrul said the Prime Minister urges the public not to be deceived by such slanderous postings.
In another matter, Anwar has asked the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) to immediately streamline and coordinate federal and state resources to assist flood victims in Sabah and Sarawak.
Tunku Nashrul said the Prime Minister wants the agency to provide continuous assistance to affected flood victims.
“Nadma has been asked to cooperate closely with the respective state governments to facilitate the distribution of aid to the heads of households of the flood victims involved,” he said.
