Delay tabling of Urban Renewal Act, focus on tenancy laws, says MCA

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA has called on the government to delay the tabling of the Urban Renewal Act (URA) for its second and third readings in Parliament this week, stressing that the Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) should take precedence.

Party deputy president Dr Mah Hang Soon has echoed concerns raised by Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who recently urged the government to put the long-awaited RTA ahead of the URA.

Dr Mah said such a move would be more in line with the needs of the rakyat and ensure that tenant-landlord relationships are properly regulated before sweeping changes to urban redevelopment laws are introduced.

“Rushing the URA through before the RTA is in place seems unwise. The latter is essential for safeguarding both tenants and landlords, while the former will shape the structure and direction of our cities for generations,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 26).

Dr Mah pointed out that both PKR representatives and MCA leaders at national and local levels had repeatedly warned against lowering approval thresholds for redevelopment projects under the URA without proper safeguards.

Such a move, he said, risks sparking disputes among homeowners and undermining public trust in the process.

Civil society groups and resident associations have also expressed worries that the Act could enable overly dense developments, while sidelining meaningful engagement with affected communities.

“The government must adopt a prudent and inclusive approach, one that ensures residents’ dignity and well-being are placed at the centre of urban redevelopment,” said Dr Mah.

He said that the government should pause deliberations on the URA as citizens’ interests come first before developers.