In a statement, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said the primary goal of the URA is to address urban development challenges, promote sustainable growth and improve the living standards of all Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity.
He said that 77% of Malaysians reside in urban areas as of last year, including a significant portion of the Malay community.
“The URA aims to modernise urban areas and provide affordable housing that benefits the Malay and Bumiputera population, which make up 62.6% of the urban population,” he added.
“This act is focused on improving infrastructure and urban living quality, not altering the demographic makeup.
“Contrary to concerns that the URA will make housing unaffordable, the act is actually expected to increase the availability of affordable housing,” he said, adding that the government has committed to building 500,000 affordable housing units by 2025 under the 12th Malaysia Plan.
Lim, who is a DAP central executive committee member, added that the proposed act will also enhance property values and provide long-term financial benefits to urban residents, particularly Malays.
He was responding to PAS treasurer Iskandar Abdul Samad’s claim there was an “agenda” behind the drafting of the law by the housing and local government ministry, which is led by DAP vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming.
In a report in PAS mouthpiece Harakah Daily, Iskandar alleged that the urban poor would be the most affected by the proposed law as they would be driven out of their homes.
He said this was apparent in traditional Malay villages in areas such as Batu Uban and other locations in Penang, which have been replaced with new developments.
Iskandar also claimed the URA only contains basic technical provisions surrounding issues such as displacement, compensation and replacement, and said matters related to the racial composition of an area will be determined by the state.
“Ultimately, we will see the Malays lose their power and position. Why so? Because we are no longer the majority,” said Iskandar, a former Selangor PAS commissioner.
On March 8, the housing and local government ministry said it was in the final stages of drafting Malaysia’s first URA, which it aims to table soon in the Dewan Rakyat.
Nga said numerous town hall sessions were conducted with stakeholders, including Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and state governments.
He said once Parliament approves the act, it will unlock numerous investment opportunities, transform the cityscape, and generate “hundreds of billions” in gross development value.