Beyond the bulldozer: Reimagining urban renewal as a partnership, not a takeover

THE letter by Prof Datuk Dr Alias Abdullah and Asst Prof Dr Roziha Che Haron in The Star dated March 2, 2026, thoughtfully frames urban redevelopment as a socioeconomic process, one that must balance physical renewal with social stability. They correctly warn that if redevelopment produces "taller buildings but weaker communities, its success will be superficial".

With the tabling of the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) 2025, issues related to development have moved from academic discussions to an urgent national debate about the very nature of property rights in Malaysia. While the letter focused on the burdens borne by residents, I want to raise an even more fundamental concern: Who truly owns the decision to renew?