PETALING JAYA – Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reassured the public that the upcoming urban renewal bill will not change the status of affected lands, dismissing concerns about the seizure of Malay reserve land as unfounded.
Anwar clarified that under the proposed law, land designated as Malay reserve will remain as such, state government-owned land will continue under state ownership, and privately owned strata land will retain its status. “If the land is Malay reserve land, it remains as Malay reserve land. If it belongs to the state government, it remains under the state. If it is privately owned strata land, it stays that way,” he stated at an event in Alor Setar, Kedah.
Addressing the need for urban renewal, Anwar emphasized his commitment to improving housing and living conditions, particularly in aging urban areas. Citing the example of the Seri Perlis flats in Kuala Lumpur, built in the 1960s and now deteriorating, he questioned the fairness of allowing citizens to continue living in cramped, outdated accommodations. “As prime minister and finance minister, should I just let that be? How can we develop (urban areas) without amending the law?” he asked.
The prime minister urged the public not to be swayed by misinformation about the bill, which has sparked planned protests led by PAS deputy youth chief Hafez Sabri. The bill, spearheaded by the housing and local government ministry under Nga Kor Ming, aims to update outdated regulations governing urban redevelopment. Under current laws, unanimous approval is required from all strata title owners before terminating titles for redevelopment.
The proposed Urban Renewal Act seeks to lower the consent threshold to 80% for properties under 30 years old, 75% for those over 30 years old, and 51% for abandoned buildings. Critics argue that the legislation could displace low-income residents who may not be able to afford to stay in the redeveloped areas.
Anwar emphasized that the bill’s objective is to revitalize urban spaces and improve the quality of life for all Malaysians, while ensuring that land rights and ownership statuses remain protected.