KUALA LUMPUR: Urban renewal must be people-centred and never come at the expense of families, heritage or public trust, says MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon (pic).
He said development should modernise cities, raise living standards and create more inclusive spaces, but warned that progress must not displace communities or erode confidence in the government.
“For MCA, development must always serve the people, not the other way around,” he said at the Institute for Strategic Analysis & Policy Research’s (Insap) Urban Affairs Policy Summit 2025 yesterday.
Chong noted that Malaysia is urbanising rapidly, with nearly eight in 10 Malaysians expected to live in towns and cities by 2030.
While this shift brings opportunities for modernisation, it also raises questions of liveability, affordability and community rights.
Chong said the proposed Urban Renewal Act, first tabled in Parliament on Aug 21, represents one of the most significant policy measures shaping the nation’s future urban landscape.
The Urban Renewal Bill – aimed at addressing redevelopment, rejuvenation and revitalisation of ageing areas – has seen its second reading postponed to Oct 6 after pushback from residents’ groups, state governments and political parties.
The Housing and Local Government Ministry has identified 534 potential renewal sites in Peninsular Malaysia, including 139 in Kuala Lumpur, 85 in Perak, 72 in Selangor and 58 in Pahang.
Many involve ageing buildings and dilapidated housing deemed safety risks due to faulty wiring and fire hazards.
Chong said MCA has been engaging stakeholders since March through Insap’s Civic Lens initiative to better understand their concerns and reflect their voices nationally.
“In the months that followed, we organised meetings with NGOs, professional associations, residents’ groups and community representatives.
“This reflects our commitment to listening not only to experts but also to those who live in our neighbourhoods and towns.”
He added that Barisan Nasional MPs had raised serious concerns in Parliament, urging the government not to rush the Bill and to widen consultations before presenting a revised draft.
“When a law has the potential to reshape how communities live and interact, it cannot be crafted in haste. MCA will continue to provide a constructive and respectful check and balance – supporting good policies while offering fair critiques where improvements are needed.”
Chong said the summit had three objectives: consolidating concerns from all stakeholders, developing people-centred alternatives, and channelling recommendations into a joint memorandum for the government and Parliament.
“This summit shows that MCA is not only voicing its own position but is also committed to gathering and reflecting the views of the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Insap deputy chairman Jacob Lee Yee Yuan said the summit provided a safe space for “difficult but necessary conversations”.
“It is about ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of Malaysians are heard, respected and reflected in our national dialogue. By hearing diverse perspectives, we open the door to creative solutions that may not emerge in a narrower setting,” he said.
