KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed 2025 Urban Renewal Bill must be postponed until it undergoes proper and comprehensive revisions that take public and property owners’ feedback into account, says a Wanita Umno delegate.
Seputeh acting Wanita Umno chief Mona Azlyn Mohd Shariff said the current draft of the BIll, among others, failed to provide assurances to property owners and alleviate residents’ concerns, while leaving room for exploitation by developers.
“We cannot allow this flawed draft to jeopardise the fate of Malay housing owners without absolute protection," she said, while debating the Wanita Umno policy speech here on Thursday (Jan 15).
She added that the federal government must take full responsibility to ensure that only developers with integrity, experience, and genuinely strong financial standing are permitted to operate in the industry.
This, she added, must be strictly enforced through a rigorous Performance Bond mechanism, with no compromise.
On Dec 1, 2024, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said that the Bill was ready to be tabled pending the Leader of the House, who is the Prime Minister, scheduling a time in the Dewan Rakyat.
Referring to the URA Convention resolution on 3 October last year, Mona Azlyn said proposals to review and amend 10 related existing acts are crucial to ensure every development process is carried out in an orderly, fair manner, guided by the principles of protecting citizens’ rights and interests.
“With this step, urban development can be implemented systematically, benefiting the community and avoiding any injustice to original residents,” she said.
She said development and modernisation should not compromise the dignity of the people or marginalised communities.
