KUALA LUMPUR, February 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed that the proposed Urban Renewal Bill will serve as a strategic initiative to uplift economically disadvantaged Malays while preserving Malay reserve land. Addressing concerns in the Dewan Rakyat, he dismissed allegations that the bill would strip the community of its land rights, emphasizing that redeveloped land would retain its original status.
Citing Razak Mansion as an example of successful urban renewal, he highlighted his administration’s commitment to designating Malay reserve land, including 50 acres in Bandar Seri Malaysia—an unprecedented move since Malaysia’s independence in 1957. Anwar also explained that while urban redevelopment can proceed without the bill, the process is often prolonged due to legal disputes and land reclamation challenges.
The proposed legislation, expected to be tabled this year, aims to expedite redevelopment by allowing en bloc sales of strata developments with lower consent thresholds—80% for buildings under 30 years, two-thirds for those older, and 50% for unsafe or abandoned properties. He assured Parliament that no landowner would be forcibly evicted and stressed that the bill has been in development since 2012, with past Federal Territories ministers contributing to its framework.
