James Chin of the University of Tasmania said the bill has become a political tool for PAS to rally Malay sentiment.

“This is a highly emotive issue, especially among Malays whose land is going to be redeveloped, so the facts do not matter.

“Whether the bill is good or bad is not going to matter. It is being politicised,” he told FMT.

Chin said PAS had identified the issue as being very effective against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government.

“The bill is led by a Chinese minister, so they can play the racial game,” he said.

Chin said PAS would use it as evidence of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s failure to protect Malay interests, with redevelopment projects perceived as benefiting only the Chinese community.

“It’s got a racial element. There is no way that PAS and PN will not use this issue,” he said.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara believes PAS is looking to capitalise on fears that the bill has been designed to “get rid” of Malays from urban areas.

“It seems ironic. PAS is championing to abolish the bill, even though its voters are basically in rural areas where the bill will have minimal impact,” he said.

Earlier this month, housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming said Hamzah had promised to support the bill, provided it was deferred.

Hamzah reportedly said the opposition did not reject the proposed law outright.

He said PN needed time for an in-depth discussion, adding that the opposition coalition was prepared to support the bill provided it is revised to address public concerns.

PAS Youth, however, have taken a contrary stand, announcing that it will hold a rally to protest the bill on Oct 4 in solidarity with Kampung Sungai Baru residents, where forced eviction took place earlier this month.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, however, believes Hamzah can draw on his wide-ranging experience to align Perikatan Nasional’s strategy before the bill is debated again in Parliament.

“As opposition leader, Hamzah has leverage in his dealings with PAS. As Bersatu deputy president, he can also reach the grassroots to address fears that poor Malays will be displaced,” the Machang MP told FMT.

He said Hamzah’s prior experience as home minister and long-serving MP also equips him with the ability to scrutinise provisions in the URA Bill, particularly as regards land acquisition powers and compensation mechanisms.