Kuala lumpur: The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) is prepared to re-table the second reading of the Urban Renewal Bill (URB) 2025 at the Dewan Rakyat sitting next week. However, this initiative is contingent on the decision of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who serves as the Leader of the House.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Nga Kor Ming emphasized that while the ministry is ready to proceed, the re-tabling of the bill will depend on the Leader of the House determining an appropriate time slot amidst a busy schedule at the Dewan Rakyat. The bill was previously tabled for a second reading on August 28 but was deferred due to various concerns and objections, notably from Members of Parliament associated with Barisan Nasional and PKR.

In his keynote address at the URB Premier Dialogue, Nga Kor Ming articulated that urban renewal should be regarded as a moral responsibility aimed at safeguarding lives and ensuring public safety, not merely as a matter of aesthetics or physical development. He highlighted that many citizens reside in older buildings that may not meet current safety standards, citing incidents in March and April 2025 where structural failures in Kota Kinabalu and Sarawak resulted in injuries and unsafe living conditions.

The KPKT stated that today’s dialogue session was the largest of its kind, attracting over 2,000 participants, including professionals, academicians, and representatives from various stakeholders. This engagement aims to gather diverse perspectives and proposals to ensure the bill aligns with public aspirations and needs.