THE Urban Renewal Bill has been pushed back indefinitely, at least until next year, after the Dewan Rakyat adjourned yesterday without debating it.
Although listed as item number five on the Order Paper, the Bill never made it to the floor on the final day of the meeting.
It is learnt that government MPs had been instructed to be present only to support two Bills under the Home Ministry and two motions – one seeking the suspension of Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan and another from the Finance Ministry involving the transfer of funds.
There was no mention of the Urban Renewal Bill.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming had recently said the Bill was ready to be re-tabled in Parliament this week.
He noted that his ministry was fully prepared to bring it forward for second reading, pending a slot from the Leader of the House, the Prime Minister.
Speaking at an urban renewal dialogue on Sunday, Nga stressed that Malaysia urgently needs dedicated legislation to address rapid urbanisation.
