Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has strongly criticized certain Malay leaders for opposing the proposed Urban Renewal Bill, accusing them of misleading the public and betraying the very community they claim to represent.
Speaking at the 59th Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) Day at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Anwar refuted claims that the bill would marginalize Malays and Bumiputeras. He stressed that the legislation aims to improve the living conditions of urban Malays, particularly those residing in decades-old flats in deteriorating conditions.
“The Malays living in flats built in the 1960s are among the poorest. We want to redevelop these areas, but outdated laws prevent progress,” he stated. “Some claim that Malay reserve land will be taken away—this is false. The land status remains unchanged, but we need reforms to ensure Malays in cities do not continue to suffer in squalid housing.”
Anwar criticized political figures from unnamed Malay and Islamic parties for their lack of initiatives to uplift urban Malays, arguing that their objections were baseless. “If you have better solutions, present them. But don’t sabotage the government’s efforts to help the people,” he asserted.
The prime minister reiterated that the Urban Renewal Bill, expected to be tabled in Parliament later this year, does not threaten Malay land ownership but is designed to modernize urban areas and improve living standards. He previously responded to critics in February, challenging them on whether they preferred Malays to remain stuck in poverty rather than embrace development.
At the same event, Anwar also introduced the MARA Madani waqaf endowment fund, a program aimed at strengthening educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for Bumiputeras. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader mission to uplift the economic standing of the Malay community while ensuring sustainable growth.
With the Urban Renewal Bill set for debate, the government faces the challenge of gaining public trust while dispelling misinformation. Whether opposition parties will shift their stance or continue their resistance remains to be seen, but Anwar’s administration is determined to push forward with its urban development agenda.
Information Source: Malay Mail
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