PETALING JAYA: The proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) is necessary to revitalise and conserve urban areas, creating safer and more liveable conditions for city dwellers, says Nga Kor Ming.
According to the Housing and Local Government Minister, the URA includes several key elements: urban redevelopment, regeneration, revitalisation and conservation.
“At present, redeveloping dilapidated buildings requires 100% approval from owners, which can take up to 10 years. We cannot afford to wait for unsafe buildings to collapse before acting,” Nga said.
He said although urban renewal guidelines have existed since 2012, the Madani government is the first to take concrete steps towards implementation.
The Urban Renewal Bill, set to be tabled later this year, proposes owners’ consent threshold of 80% for buildings under 30 years old and 75% for buildings older than 30 years.
For buildings that are deemed unsafe or abandoned, a simple majority (51%) would be needed to approve the sale.
Addressing fears of gentrification, displacement of low-income residents and potential land grab by developers, Nga assured the public that his ministry remains open to suggestions, having conducted 74 engagement sessions with stakeholders.
He cited a case of a widow who had purchased two PKNS units in Kampung Kerinchi in the 1990s for under RM45,000 each.
Nga said after a 2015 redevelopment project, she received two larger replacement units, now valued at RM449,000 each.
He also pointed to the successful redevelopment of 1 Razak Mansion, where all of the owners agreed to the project.
“In line with our open-door policy, the ministry welcomes constructive feedback, but we must avoid irresponsible politicking,” Nga said, emphasising that the URA will benefit all urban residents while ensuring the sustainability of Malaysia’s city infrastructure.
Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who is also Plantation and Commodities Minister, said he supports the URA, citing limited land availability in Kuala Lumpur.
“Many housing units over 40 years old are small, have outdated wiring and sanitation issues, and five-storey flats without lifts, housing ageing residents.
“The URA can facilitate redevelopment, but it must not favour high-end projects that leave only a fraction of units for public housing. Original landowners must not feel cheated,” he said.
Johari emphasised that these areas should be reserved for the urban poor, as B40 workers need homes near their workplaces.
He said public housing should not be replaced by luxury developments with exclusive entry points that marginalise low-income residents.
Johari added that government agencies like the Urban Development Authority should oversee the process rather than allowing commercial developers to prioritise profits over social responsibility.
Addressing concerns about bumiputra displacement, Johari suggested that redevelopment should accommodate growing families.
