PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sharply criticised the opposition, particularly PAS Youth, for opposing the Urban Renewal Act (URA) and threatening a rally against it.
Speaking at Mara’s 59th Anniversary event in Kuala Lumpur today, Anwar defended the URA, aimed at improving living conditions for urban poor, predominantly Malays.
He accused critics of misleading the public and warned that the government could mobilise a larger rally to support the policy. The opposition, including PAS Youth’s Hafez Sabri labelled the URA “modern colonialism”, claiming it would displace poor Malays.
Anwar dismissed these claims, noting the law lowers the approval threshold for renewal projects from unanimous consent to benefit the majority, without forcing homeowners out. The URA bill is set to be tabled in June or July 2025.
“I want to tell them, do not test us. We are trying to help the poor, of whom the majority are Malays and some Indians and Chinese. If you try to disrupt us, if you mobilise a rally, we can fill a stadium to defend this policy to help the Malays.”
“Those who had been opposing this (proposal) are Malays, who spoke in the name of Malay and Islamic parties… they are ‘hilang pedoman’ (lost guidance) and ‘menyesatkan’ (misleading). Have they contributed any suggestions on how to help the Malays? No… But do not sabotage our efforts,” Anwar said.
Meanwhile, Angkatan Muda Keadilan information chief Nabil Halimi urged the Madani government to remain consistent in improving governance, particularly through the Urban Renewal Bill, to benefit citizens.
He warned that entertaining the opposition Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) racial narratives could hinder national progress. Nabil argued that the bill, initiated in 2021 by then-minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, was not opposed by PN’s PAS and Bersatu at the time, suggesting their current resistance is a tactic to stoke fears of a “threatened Malay identity”.
He defended the bill’s lowered approval threshold (75% to 80%), noting it ensures better living conditions for the majority, despite opposition claims it subtly displaces Malays from urban flats.
The government insists that the URA guarantees higher property values for owners of old flats, binding developers to comply.
“Who are we to stop those who want a better life, even if it means slightly higher expenses?” Nabil Halimi said. — March 15, 2025
Main photo credit: Bernama
