Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil says the Urban Renewal Bill will be enhanced, with a new draft to be prepared.
PETALING JAYA: The government has decided to withdraw the Urban Renewal Bill (or URA) for a major enhancement, following feedback from lawmakers and stakeholders.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the bill will be withdrawn to be improved through several amendments and additions that will be studied, presented, discussed, and decided in the Cabinet.
He added that the revised bill will later be presented in Parliament once the process is complete.
“The Cabinet agreed in principle that there is a need to revise a bill that allows housing issues in urban areas, specifically related to urban poverty, to be addressed thoroughly and fairly,” he said at a press conference after a post-cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.
Fahmi said the decision also takes into account feedback from Members of Parliament, including “friends from UMNO” and other Cabinet members.
“We certainly want the Urban Renewal Bill to be given a form that incorporates all these views and includes them in the draft bill or Blue Bill itself,” he said.
He also said that the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) has received numerous proposals from lawmakers, many of which will be included in the new draft.
“We thank the Minister of KPKT and colleagues at PlanMalaysia for the work that has been done.
“Now, the Cabinet has decided that the bill will be withdrawn for improvements and will be presented later.
“The aim is to refine the process and improve the bill after receiving various feedback, including from Members of Parliament,” Fahmi said.
The drafting of the revised bill will be handled by the Attorney General’s Chambers, with the Cabinet receiving a briefing beforehand before it is formally submitted.
Fahmi reiterated that the process “will take some time.”
Last Thursday, KPKT Minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry is “ever-ready” to proceed with the second reading of the Urban Renewal Bill, subject to Cabinet approval.
The second reading had initially been scheduled for Aug 28 but was postponed after objections and concerns were raised by both Barisan Nasional (BN) and PKR MPs, largely over consent thresholds for redevelopment.
The bill has been widely regarded as controversial, drawing criticism from lawmakers, urban activists, and community groups who argue that certain provisions could undermine residents’ rights and disproportionately affect low-income communities in urban areas.
