Lending an ear: Dr Wee (top) hearing various views from the residents at the Bukit Segar Community Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR: Any implementation of the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) must be done fairly and transparently without favouring any particular group, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said participants in a dialogue session yesterday had stressed the need to raise public awareness about individual rights under the proposed URA.
Dr Wee, who is also Ayer Hitam MP, had attended the dialogue with the Kuala Lumpur Residents Action for Sustainable Development Community Association (KLRA+SD) to hear their concerns about the URA.
“The session served as a platform for civil society and NGOs to express their views on the potential implications of the Urban Renewal Act, particularly on property owners and communities that could be impacted by redevelopment,” he said in a Facebook post after the session held at the Bukit Segar Community Centre here.
KLRA+SD, which comprises 74 residents’ associations, six NGOs, and one university, had recently submitted a memorandum to all MPs urging them to give serious attention to the URA.
“To date, 139 areas have been identified for urban renewal. As a representative of the people, it is my duty to engage with affected stakeholders and better understand their concerns,” said Dr Wee.
KLRA+SD has been actively championing sustainable urban development in Kuala Lumpur, with a particular focus on environmental protection, good governance, and the safeguarding of public rights and welfare.
In a recent article, KLRA+SD public policy advisers Han Jun Siew and Peter Leong raised concerns that the draft URA Bill released in February 2025 indicates a model of centralised decision-making by the government, with implementation led by developers.
“The draft URA Bill lacks the safeguards necessary to protect the interests of the people. Our concern is that simple amendments and tweaks will not overcome its structural inadequacies,” they wrote.
They added that the upcoming Parliament session must be used as an opportunity for MPs to highlight the Bill’s shortcomings and propose key changes before it is tabled for first reading.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reportedly said in April that the proposed URA is now in its final stage before being tabled in Parliament in July, having been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers for final vetting and refinement.
