PUTRAJAYA: The government has withdrawn the Urban Renewal Bill and will table an enhanced version in Parliament after further refinements, says Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
The Communications Minister said the Cabinet had agreed in principle that there is a need for a comprehensive law to address urban housing issues, particularly those affecting the urban poor, in a fair and effective manner.
However, he said the Cabinet decided that the existing Bill should be withdrawn to allow improvements, including amendments and additional provisions, before being reintroduced in an enhanced form.
“Today, the Cabinet agreed that the Bill will be withdrawn to be improved through several amendments and additions, which will be examined, presented, discussed and decided upon, before being tabled again in Parliament at a later date,” Fahmi told a press conference here yesterday.
He said the decision reflects the government’s intention to ensure that the legislation fully incorporates views and feedback received during the earlier debates in the Dewan Rakyat.
Enhancing the law: Fahmi speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya. — Bernama
Fahmi also expressed appreciation to the Housing and Local Government Ministry and PlanMalaysia for their engagement efforts.
Explaining the reasons for withdrawing the Bill, Fahmi said the move took into account feedback from Members of Parliament during debates in the Dewan Rakyat, as well as input from Umno leaders and other Cabinet members.
“We want this Bill to incorporate and accept all these views and to have them reflected in the draft or the so-called ‘blue Bill’,” he said, adding that several areas would be reviewed to further improve the legislation.
Fahmi said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming had also informed the Cabinet that a number of proposals had been received from Umno, which would be incorporated into the enhanced Bill.
On when the revised Bill would be tabled, Fahmi said the process of preparing an enhanced draft would be handled by the Attorney General’s Chambers but only after the proposed draft is first brought back to the Cabinet for discussion.
“We expect the process to take some time,” he said, without giving a specific timeline.
The Urban Renewal Bill was first introduced for its initial reading on Aug 21, 2025, with the second reading scheduled for Aug 28.
No debates or voting took place then and the Bill was deferred.
On another matter, Fahmi said the government intends to increase the number of teachers to cater to an expected rise in Year One enrolment next year, as schools prepare to accommodate a possible intake of both six- and seven-year-old pupils.
He said teacher preparedness is a key focus, with educators to be mobilised through the Teacher Education Institute (IPG) to meet the anticipated increase in Year One pupils next year.
“Next year, we may see a situation where children aged six and seven enter Year One at the same time, so there is a need for additional teachers,” Fahmi said.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, following the launch of the National Education Blueprint 2026-2035, had reviewed feedback and instructed the Education Ministry to closely examine preparations, particularly for five-year-old preschool pupils and six-year-olds entering Year One.
