Winding up the 2026 budget debate for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat, Nga said those who had backed the revised bill included more than 5,000 participants at the National Planning Congress held yesterday and today.

He also said the ministry had included a majority of the 14 recommendations which was mooted by Umno, in the revised bill.

“The ministry is open to suggestions from anyone,” he said.

Nga also explained that the decision to postpone the tabling of the bill for its second reading was to allow for more “holistic and focused” engagement sessions between the ministry and relevant stakeholders.

He said the ministry had engaged the state governments of Kedah and Terengganu, the Malaysian Institute of Planners, the Bar Council, politicians, and the general public.

“The Urban Renewal Bill underwent an exhaustive process, with 122 engagement sessions carried out. The bill was also presented thrice to the special select committee on infrastructure, transportation and communication.

“It was also raised three times at Cabinet meetings, and obtained the approval of the National Council for Local Government,” he said.

The bill outlines three types of projects – redevelopment involving tearing down and rebuilding housing projects; regeneration involving repairs or upgrades to dilapidated or abandoned buildings; while revitalisation refers to upgrading or improving an area without demolition.

Resistance to the bill from both the opposition and some in the government bloc, including Barisan Nasional and seven PKR MPs, prevented the bill from being passed during the last Dewan Rakyat meeting in August.

On Aug 28, Nga said the bill would be amended to reflect a new consent rule following the pushback.