SG4 views sought in drafting Urban Renewal Bill, says PLANMalaysia DG

KUALA LUMPUR: The views of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis, collectively known as State Government 4 (SG4), were sought in drafting the Urban Renewal Bill, says Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) director-general Datuk Dr Alias Rameli.

He said matters related to the Bill were brought to the attention of the Perikatan Nasional-administered states through the National Council for Local Government, of which they are part.

The matter of consent threshold was brought up with the council three times, he added.

“The last time… was on Aug 20; there were no conclusive views given on whether they agreed or disagreed,” he told a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 27).

“We respect (SG4’s) position to not support (the Bill),” he said, adding that some of their views were incorporated in the Bill.

Alias also dismissed claims that the Housing and Local Government Ministry would wield extensive powers under the Urban Renewal Act.

“The minister will only chair the federal executive committee,” he said, adding that it would just be in an advisory capacity.

The committee’s role is to approve eligible and competent developers, among others.

The power to identify the sites lies with the states, he said, adding that this comes under each state’s executive committee.

“We have received the list of identified sites,” he added.

Aside from that, he said, states are also empowered to draft the framework and policies on redevelopment, declaration and gazetting of sites, as well as approval and land acquisition related to the Act.

SG4 has jointly declared firm opposition to the Bill.

They said that the proposed law, if enacted, would have far-reaching consequences for state autonomy, land ownership, the rights of traditional urban communities, and the social fabric of cities across Peninsular Malaysia and Labuan.