PAS Youth has called on UMNO Youth Chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh to reconsider his approach and lend his presence at the Mega Rally to Reject the Urban Redevelopment Bill (URA), scheduled for next month in Kuala Lumpur.
Deputy PAS Youth Chief, Mohd Hafez Sabri, explained that the movement welcomed UMNO Youth’s call for dialogue with multiple stakeholders and the exploration of solutions before taking to the streets. He reminded that a series of roundtable discussions had already been conducted, involving researchers, non-governmental organisations, and members of civil society, where concerns surrounding the URA Bill were laid out in detail.
According to him, a formal resolution opposing the proposed law had been submitted earlier to the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) and circulated to all Members of Parliament nationwide. The document, he said, had even reached the office of the Teluk Intan MP, who also holds the ministerial portfolio for KPKT.
Hafez further noted that UMNO’s Deputy President had previously voiced his party’s stance in Parliament by rejecting the draft bill and pressing for revisions to safeguard the interests of urban Malays. He pointed out that several UMNO ministers had publicly aligned themselves with that position, signalling strong cross-party resistance.
Despite such opposition, he added, Minister Nga Kor Ming remained determined to proceed with the bill’s second reading on October 6. For PAS Youth, this persistence justified the mobilisation of the #TolakURA Mega Rally, which they described as a symbolic stand against a minister who seemed unwilling to acknowledge widespread dissatisfaction.
The planned rally, Hafez argued, was not about politics alone but about defending the rights and security of communities who feared displacement under the proposed redevelopment framework. He insisted that the people’s voice should not be ignored and urged all Malay-Islamic organisations and movements to come together in solidarity on this issue.
Earlier, Dr Akmal had encouraged PAS Youth to prioritise discussions and constructive proposals over mass gatherings. However, PAS Youth maintained that the time had come for a stronger, visible response, making the rally an unavoidable step to pressure the government into halting the bill’s progress.
With both UMNO and PAS Youth recognising flaws in the draft law but differing on the method of resistance, the coming weeks may determine whether Malay-based political groups can close ranks or remain divided in their fight against the URA Bill.
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