State stand on 'pro-developer' URA, PN reps dare S'gor MB
The lawmakers also challenged Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, the state government, and statutory bodies such as the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to state their stand on the matter.
“If the state government truly works for the rakyat...
Summary
Selangor opposition assemblypersons join the chorus of opposition against the Urban Renewal Bill.
They also challenge the Selangor menteri besar, state government, and state statutory bodies to state their stand on the matter.
Earlier, several groups marched to Parliament to hand over memorandums in opposition to the bill.
With opposition towards the Urban Renewal Bill rising, 21 Perikatan Nasional assemblypersons from Selangor have joined the chorus, demanding that the proposed legislation be scrapped.
The lawmakers also challenged Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, the state government, and statutory bodies such as the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) to state their stand on the matter.
“If the state government truly works for the rakyat, especially when it comes to home ownership and bumiputera equity in urban areas, then it should reject this obviously pro-developer bill.
“Keeping silent would only show that the state government is working in cahoots with the federal administration to take away the rights of Selangorians,” the assemblypersons said in a joint statement today.
Among the signatories of the statement were Azmin Ali (Hulu Kelang), Hilman Idham (Gombak Setia), Razali Saari (Sungai Panjang), and Dr Afif Bahardin (Taman Medan).
Apart from opposition leaders, the bill was also panned by several government MPs and civil society groups.
Earlier today, pro-PN groups and Federal Territories resident associations turned up at the Parliament gates to submit memorandums objecting to the bill.
Government and opposition MPs, including Hassan Karim (Harapan-Pasir Gudang), Wong Chen (Harapan-Subang), Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai), Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian), and Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), accepted the memorandums from the group.
The menteris besar of the four PN-led states - Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis - also objected to the bill today through a joint statement.
PN and their supporters have argued that the bill risks upsetting the racial balance in cities to the detriment of Malays.
They also claimed the proposed legislation lacks clear protection and compensation mechanisms.
The consent threshold for urban renewal projects under the proposed bill is 80 percent for buildings less than 30 years old, and 75 percent for buildings more than 30 years old.
Too much power for minister
Selangor PN lawmakers claimed the bill gives too much power to the housing and local government minister to declare any place as an “urban renewal area”.
The power, they added, not only violates the people’s right to own property as enshrined under the Federal Constitution, but also encroaches on the powers of state and local governments.
“We also oppose the suggestion to lower the consent threshold to between 75 percent and 80 percent, and allow redevelopment of a structure after 30 years.
“This mechanism is risky as it will force the minority to sell their homes even when they disagree.
“Some legal experts have pointed out that this low threshold would create a situation called ‘manufactured consent’, where consent is forced,” they added.
As for the redevelopment timeframe, the Selangor PN lawmakers pointed out that the National House Buyers Association had argued that a building lifespan can stretch from 70 to 80 years, unlike the 30 years mentioned in the bill.
“So, the idea to shorten the timeframe is baseless,” they said.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming tabled the bill for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Aug 21.
The second and third readings are scheduled for tomorrow.
