Transport Minister Anthony Loke has pushed back against attempts to single out DAP over the controversial Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Bill, stressing that the proposal embodies Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s wider vision for urban redevelopment.
Loke highlighted that the essence of the bill is to revitalise old and deteriorating housing, particularly in major urban centres such as Kuala Lumpur. He said the objective is to uplift the living conditions of lower-income Malaysians while ensuring that homeowners’ rights remain intact. According to him, the bill safeguards property values and guarantees that ownership rights are preserved.
Seeking to clarify misconceptions, Loke emphasised that legislation presented in Parliament does not represent the agenda of an individual party but reflects the collective direction of the Madani government. He argued that once a bill is approved at the cabinet level, it becomes part of the government’s broader policy, regardless of which minister presents it.
He questioned the logic of attributing the bill solely to DAP, explaining that if a proposal came from a minister within UMNO, it would not automatically be considered that party’s initiative. Instead, it would be recognised as a government decision endorsed through cabinet consensus.
The URA Bill, however, has faced strong resistance. Opposition MPs, along with some lawmakers from the ruling coalition, have raised objections. Among the concerns expressed is the bill’s consent threshold for urban renewal projects, which some fear could undermine residents’ decision-making rights.
Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Mohamad Hasan has urged that the bill be reviewed and postponed for further deliberation. Similarly, several PKR MPs have echoed concerns, while civil society organisations, opposition parties, and residents of Kuala Lumpur gathered outside Parliament to voice their opposition.
In response to the criticisms, Minister of Housing and Local Government Nga Kor Ming announced that debates and voting on the URA Bill have been postponed until the October sitting of the Dewan Rakyat. He assured that his ministry would introduce improvements to the draft, aiming to address the issues raised.
The bill, in its current form, proposes the redevelopment of ageing flats and deteriorating urban neighbourhoods without requiring unanimous agreement from all property owners. While its supporters view it as a necessary step to modernise cities and improve urban living, its critics see risks in how consent is structured, sparking one of the most heated debates within the Madani government’s legislative agenda.
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