Opposition to call for bloc vote if Urban Renewal Bill tabled in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition MPs are calling on the government to immediately withdraw the controversial Urban Renewal Bill 2025 before its second and third reading in the Dewan Rakyat scheduled on Wednesday (Aug 27).

Perikatan Nasional chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) said that the opposition will strongly oppose the bill if it is brought to the Dewan Rakyat and will call for bloc voting.

“I would like to give an early warning, if the Bill is brought to Parliament, we will ask for bloc voting.

“We want to know which MPs support and oppose the Bill,” he told a press conference at the Parliament lobby.

On Aug 21, seven PKR MPs also called for a delay for the second reading of the Urban Renewal Bill in the Dewan Rakyat.

Takiyuddin said that he had also taken note of the points raised by protestors outside Parliament and will raise it in the debates.

He also reiterated that the Bill contradicts existing laws such as the Land Acquisition Act 1960, which places the Yang di-Pertuan Agong as the state authority in the Federal Territories, rather than the minister in charge of local governance.

“We will look at all their points and we will include it in our debates,” he said.

Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) said that there was no proper consultation or engagement with relevant stakeholders over the Bill.

“Even from the initial stages, it received strong backlash, not only from the public but also in the housing sectors.

“The government was not transparent about the consultation engagements. When it was tabled for the first reading, there was strong rejection.

“How can the government say they have done proper consultation with all parties,” he asked.

The proposed Act was tabled in Parliament last week. The bill is scheduled for its second and third readings in Parliament on Wednesday.