KUALA LUMPUR: The State Government 4 (SG4) states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis – along with opposition MPs have closed ranks to oppose the Urban Renewal Act (URA), warning it threatens state powers, land rights and the fabric of urban communities.
The four states jointly declared their firm opposition to the URA, which is scheduled for its second reading in Parliament today.
The states warned that the proposed law, if enacted, would have far-reaching consequences for state autonomy, land ownership, the rights of traditional urban communities, and the social fabric of cities across Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan.
In a joint statement issued yesterday, they argued that current legislation, particularly the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172), already places urban planning under state jurisdiction.
They stressed that Act 172 allows planning decisions to be made in accordance with state policies and the unique cultural and social needs of local populations.
“The approach under the existing law is more holistic and respectful of local culture, compared with the centralised framework proposed under the URA,” they added.
Concerns were also raised about the impact on landowners and long-established communities – particularly Malays and bumiputra in urban areas.
The states cautioned that the URA does not specify clear mechanisms for compensation or safeguards for original landowners, creating fears that it could erode bumiputra land ownership in cities and disrupt social balance.
“Without clear implementation mechanisms, the URA risks creating communal divides in cities and undermining national harmony,” the group said.
The SG4 further said that existing laws – including the National Land Code, Land Acquisition Act 1960, Strata Titles Act 1985, Local Government Act 1976, and Town and Country Planning Act 1976 – are sufficient to address urban redevelopment challenges if properly enforced and improved.
The signatures on the statement were Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Perlis Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli.
Meanwhile, at the Dewan Rakyat, opposition MPs called on the government to immediately withdraw the URA before its second and third reading.
Perikatan Nasional chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) said that the opposition will strongly oppose the Bill if it is brought to the Dewan Rakyat and will call for bloc voting.
“We want to know which MPs support and oppose the Bill,” he told a press conference at the Parliament building.
On Aug 21, seven PKR MPs also called for a delay of the second reading of the URA.
Takiyuddin said that he had taken note of the points raised by protesters outside of Parliament and will raise it in the debates.
He said the Bill contradicts existing laws such as the Land Acquisition Act 1960, which places the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the state authority in the Federal Territories, rather than the minister in charge of local government.
“We will look at all their points and we will include it in our debates,” he said.
Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) said that there was no proper consultation or engagement with relevant stakeholders over the Bill.
“Even from the initial stages, it received strong backlash, not only from the public but also in the housing sectors.
“The government was not transparent about the consultation engagements. When it was tabled for the first reading (last week), there were strong rejections.
“How can the government say they have done proper consultation with all parties,” he asked.
