ALOR SETAR: The proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) is a "ticking time bomb" that will detonate during the 16th General Election, claims a Titiwangsa PAS delegate.
While tabling a motion on politics, Mohamad Suhaimi Abdul Aziz said the URA is not about race or rejecting development, but about safeguarding the rights of homeowners and landowners and demanding greater government transparency.
"That is why Titiwangsa PAS will make this one of our agenda and it will turn into a time bomb when GE16 comes," he said at the 71st central PAS Muktamar on Tuesday (Sept 16).
The motion called for the 71st PAS Muktamar to strongly and without compromise reject the URA, which it claims threatens the rights of the people and the younger generation.
He said the party will not compromise on the issue as it threatens the rights of the people, especially the youth.
"Perhaps in other states it will not be felt as much, but in Kuala Lumpur, many families will be affected by this legislation," he said.
He also expressed solidarity with the son-in-law of PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who was arrested by police following investigations into a clash with the authorities during last week's eviction operation in Kampung Sungai Baru.
"He was arrested just because he wanted to defend the rights of the people there," said Mohamad Suhaimi.
Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman confirmed that the PAS division chief was arrested earlier on Monday (Sept 15).
Tangga Batu MP Bakri Jamaluddin, who seconded the motion, said the party had its own reason to strongly oppose the URA, which was based on facts.
"We do not reject development, but the mechanism and powers under the law are too great. It will cause uncertainty among homeowners and worries among the urban community," he said.
The URA is intended to replace outdated laws governing the redevelopment of such buildings in urban areas.
The Bill was tabled for its second reading in Parliament at the end of August, but was neither debated nor voted on, with discussions deferred to October.
Concerns have been raised about issues such as compensation, transparency, accountability, the impact on lower-income groups, and the displacement of smallholders with below-market compensation.
