Residents’ Memorandum Backs Urban Renewal Bill As Hope For Safer Housing - Nga

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- The memorandum on the Urban Renewal Bill received today by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming reflects the aspirations of residents seeking safer housing.

Nga said the group that submitted the memorandum comprised residents of dilapidated and problematic flats in the Klang Valley, who hoped their housing areas could be redeveloped once the Bill is passed.

“The government respects the right to voice out, including protests like yesterday, but we must also take into account the hopes of those who yearn for a more comfortable life,” he said in a statement today.

Earlier, Nga received the memorandum from nearly 100 multi-ethnic residents, including from Desa Bakti in Selayang and Flat Taman Maluri in Cheras.

He said residents described the Bill as a new ray of hope after years of dealing with abandoned projects, poor maintenance management and the deterioration of public facilities in their housing areas.

“A group of residents from Taman Sri Endah, Sri Petaling said their more than 40-year-old flats often experience roof leaks that make the staircases slippery.

“This indirectly makes daily movement risky, especially for senior citizens during rainy days,” he said, adding that other residents also raised concerns over maintenance, unsafe public facilities and the worsening state of their buildings.

Nga said the memorandum stated that the PSB Bill is a strategic measure to upgrade ageing infrastructure and public amenities, while urging for redevelopment to be expedited.

He said the memorandum also called for a community-based renewal process that preserves local social identity and history, implemented through transparent and inclusive planning, with fair compensation and protection for low-income groups.

In addition, he assured that Malay Reserve Land will not be affected and compensation will be based on the latest market value.

As of Aug 25, the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), through the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), had held 108 engagement sessions with residents, stakeholders and MPs, and conducted site visits to dilapidated strata-type housing areas to highlight the urgent need for the Bill.

Meanwhile, PLANMalaysia director-general Datuk Dr Alias Rameli said the department had also initiated engagement through the National Council for Local Government (MNKT) to gather the views of state governments on the Bill.

He said the MNKT, which also involved the four SG4 states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis – was conducted in line with Article 95A of the Federal Constitution.

“Under Article 95A of the Federal Constitution, the Federal Government is obliged to consult the state governments on matters related to local government policies, and we have given the states the opportunity to provide their views.

“Some of these views have been acknowledged and incorporated into the Bill, including responsibilities relating to identifying redevelopment sites, which fall under state authority with the assistance of local authorities,” he told reporters at Parliament today.

Alias said the power to declare and gazette sites for urban renewal projects lies fully under state jurisdiction, except in the Federal Territories.

The Urban Renewal Bill is expected to be tabled for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow, aimed at ensuring old, dilapidated and run-down housing areas can be redeveloped in a more systematic, fair, and inclusive manner, for the well-being of the people and sustainable urban development.

-- BERNAMA