KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) could spark conflict and disharmony among residents if passed, says House Buyers Association secretary-general Datuk Chang Kim Loong.
“In the past, neighbours could sit together over a meal, but now the proposed URA pits owners against each other – those who want redevelopment and those who don’t.
“It will breed unnecessary distrust and resentment within communities,” Chang said in his speech at the Urban Affairs Policy Summit 2025 yesterday.
He argued that the proposed 30-year benchmark for designating buildings for redevelopment was unjustifiable.
“Even the Public Works Department and Construction Industry Development Board have said concrete buildings have a lifespan of 70 to 80 years. Why then impose a blanket 30-year rule? It means properties could be recycled again and again, every three decades, disrupting generations of families.”
He also highlighted the potential hidden financial burden for lower-income groups under the proposed URA, noting that while redevelopment might offer upgraded housing, it would come at a steep maintenance cost.
“They may be paying RM35 in maintenance fees today, but after redevelopment, it could jump to RM300, which, for B40 families, is financially crushing. Especially since failure to pay means being dragged to the Strata Management Tribunal or even court.”
Another major concern, he stressed, was that the proposed URA would place redevelopment in the hands of private developers.
“They take over strata titles, mortgage them to banks for massive loans, and if they go bankrupt, buyers are left with nothing. The government then washes its hands because it only facilitated the law. So who will protect the ordinary housebuyer then?”
He stressed that safeguards must be written directly into the Urban Renewal Bill before it is passed, rather than leaving critical details to future regulations.
“We cannot pass a vague Act and trust that regulations will come later. Without clear rules, the trust deficit is too big,” he said.
Chang further questioned the necessity of a new law, pointing to existing legislation such as the Housing Development Act, Strata Management Act, Land Acquisition Act and Town and Country Planning Act, which already govern redevelopment.
Chang expressed gratitude to MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and other MPs for arranging a meeting with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul on Aug 27, where he briefed the Speaker on the possible dire consequences of the Bill.
The following day, Johari invoked Standing Order 12 to stop Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming from pushing the planned URA reading in Dewan Rakyat late into the night.
The Bill’s second reading has since been postponed to Oct 6.
“Had it not been for that intervention, the Bill could have been bulldozed through. We are thankful to the Speaker and MPs who stood firm.”
He reiterated that the association was not against redevelopment but insisted it must be carried out with proper safeguards, government leadership, and genuine engagement.
