URBAN RENEWAL BILL WITHDRAWN FOR COMPREHENSIVE ENHANCEMENTS - FAHMI

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- The Urban Renewal Bill (URA) 2025 has been withdrawn to allow for comprehensive enhancements before being re-tabled in Parliament, said MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

Fahmi, who is also the Communications Minister, said the Cabinet agreed in principle that the bill requires enhancements to more effectively and fairly address urban housing issues, particularly those affecting the urban poor.

“As such, the Cabinet has agreed today to withdraw the urban renewal bill to allow for amendments and enhancements, which will be presented, scrutinised, discussed and decided by the Cabinet at a later date to be announced.

“It will then be re-tabled in Parliament in the form of a new bill,” he told a weekly press conference here today.

The minister said the decision took into account views expressed by Members of Parliament during the Dewan Rakyat debate, as well as feedback from UMNO and other Cabinet members.

Fahmi said the revised bill would incorporate feedback from various stakeholders, adding that Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming had indicated that many proposals from UMNO would be included in the new draft.

“The intention is to refine the process and improve the bill after considering extensive feedback, including from Members of Parliament,” he said.

On the timeline for re-tabling the bill, Fahmi said the drafting of the new legislation would be handled by the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC), a process expected to take some time.

He said that the Cabinet would be briefed once the process begins and would discuss the draft before it is submitted to the AGC.

Fahmi also expressed appreciation to the Housing and Local Government Ministry and the Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) for their engagement efforts and earlier proposals to improve the bill.

On Jan 20, Nga was reported as saying that the ministry was prepared to re-table the URA for its second reading, citing its importance to residents affected by dilapidated, ageing and unsafe buildings.

The bill’s second reading was tabled on Aug 28 last year but was not debated and later deferred following concerns and objections raised, including by Barisan Nasional and PKR MPs.

The bill is an initiative under the Housing and Local Government Ministry and PLANMalaysia aimed at renewing dilapidated, ageing and unsafe urban areas in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA