AMPANG, August 30 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today defended the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Bill, stressing that it was designed to provide safer, more liveable homes for Malaysians living in dilapidated flats, not to erode the rights of any community.
Speaking at the launch of the East Klang Valley Expressway, Anwar urged critics to stop exploiting racial sentiments, reiterating that the government would “never betray the Bumiputera, the Chinese, or the Indians” and is committed to protecting the rights of all.
He reminded detractors that previous administrations were the ones responsible for forced relocations, while the current Bill ensures residents’ consent and safeguards through official oversight. Responding to claims that the Bill empowers developers at the expense of homeowners.
Anwar highlighted the harsh realities faced by the urban poor, with families crowded into one-room units or even multiple families sharing a flat. He insisted the government’s priority is to uplift vulnerable communities, not to pander to racial agendas.
