URA is in its final stages despite protests

The Urban Renewal Act (URA) is in its final stage before being tabled in Parliament in July 2025, as announced by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming. The final draft has been submitted to the Attorney General’s Chambers for review and refinement. After clearance, it will proceed through the first, second, and third readings in Parliament. The drafting process involved extensive consultations, described as one of the most thorough for any legislation, with 79 engagement sessions held with stakeholders including house buyers’ associations, housing developers, universities, academics, NGOs, and a special select committee.

All feedback was carefully considered to strengthen the act. The ministry also conducted a visit to four redevelopment sites: Flat Sutera Taman Desa Bakti Selayang, Flat Kuchai Jaya, 1 Razak Mansion, and Residensi Kerinchi.

URA

The proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) in Malaysia, set to be tabled in Parliament in July 2025, has sparked significant protests, particularly from opposition groups and affected communities. On February 27, 2025, landowners from Kampung Baru, a Malay enclave in Kuala Lumpur, protested outside Parliament, submitting a memorandum to MPs, arguing the act could lead to displacement and favor developers.

The opposition Islamist party PAS, through its youth wing, announced plans for a street rally, labeling the URA “modern colonialism” and comparing it to policies displacing Palestinians, claims criticized by DAP MPs as sensationalist. Critics, including the National House Buyers Association and Muar MP Syed Saddiq, have dubbed it the “Home Seizure Act,” highlighting concerns over the reduced consent threshold (from 100% to 80% for buildings under 30 years old) potentially forcing minority owners to sell, risking gentrification and disruption of community stability, especially for urban poor Malays and Indians.

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