Kuala Lumpur: Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) director-general, Datuk Dr Alias Rameli, has refuted claims suggesting that the Urban Renewal Bill (PSB) will eliminate the Malay community and the B40 and M40 income groups in urban areas. He stressed that the government adheres to 10 key principles to ensure transparency and protect the rights of registered property owners in the drafting of the bill.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the allegations were countered by Datuk Dr Alias Rameli, who stated that the PSB Bill includes principles such as securing property owners’ consent, maintaining original residents, protecting landowners’ interests, and ensuring fair maintenance cost adjustments. He also clarified that the bill does not entail amendments to existing laws like the Federal Constitution, the National Land Code, and the Land Acquisition Act 1960, as alleged by Kota Bharu MP.
Opposition MPs have criticized the PSB Bill as a covert strategy to displace Malays from urban areas by lowering the consent threshold for strata housing redevelopment. Perikatan Nasional (PN) Chief Whip, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), also accused the government of rushing the legislative process for the bill.
In response, Alias emphasized that the PSB Bill aims to enhance existing laws while introducing new provisions to safeguard current property owners’ rights and interests. He mentioned that a comprehensive review of over 17 property development-related acts was conducted to avoid legal overlaps and conflicts.
Alias also dismissed assertions that the Department of the Director-General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) had not approved the PSB Bill. He confirmed that JKPTG, through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, agreed in principle to the bill’s drafting during the Cabinet Meeting on August 14, 2024.
He further explained that urban renewal is the most appropriate strategy to tackle urban issues, such as dilapidated and unsafe buildings, aligning with global best practices for urban development. He argued that allowing old buildings to deteriorate with inadequate facilities and infrastructure is not an option for effective urban governance. He highlighted the need for support from various stakeholders and rejected a passive approach, underscoring the MADANI government’s commitment to long-term well-being and quality of life for the populace.
Alias also remarked on the recent action by 31 Malay-Muslim NGOs who submitted a memorandum opposing the PSB Bill to PN, suggesting that such actions could obstruct the legislative process intended to benefit the public, particularly in aging urban areas.
In George Town, Penang Local Government, Town, and Country Planning Committee chairman, H’ng Mooi Lye supported the PSB as an effective initiative for redeveloping old or abandoned buildings, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for property owners in affected regions. H’ng mentioned that the Penang State Housing Board introduced guidelines for urban renewal in 2022, given that many residential units in Penang are over 40 years old and facing structural deterioration. The guidelines aim to improve livability, optimize infrastructure and public amenities, and ensure efficient land use.