Amend Ura So Malays Won T Be Evicted Says Ku Li

---

 


The Urban Renewal Act (URA) must be amended to ensure Malays are not evicted from cities, said Umno veteran Tengku Razeleigh Hamzah.
Tengku Razaleigh, who is popularly known as Ku Li, said his research showed that the URA in its current form will marginalise Malays who live in urban areas.
He said the URA’s implementation would increase taxes, which would cause Malays and the poor to migrate to the countryside.
“So they may have to move... to a cheaper place more in line with their income. Eventually, these people will move out of the cities. Our goal is not for Malays to have to live in the countryside.
“The Malays must live anywhere (they want) and must have a place in this city as part of their country.
“...So, I don’t think the Malays can afford it. In itself, this act will drive the Malays out of their homes,” Tengku Razaleigh said when met after the Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra)’s iftar event in Kuala Lumpur.
On Wednesday (March 19), Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that the proposed URA would ensure that the original owners affected would be able to re-own the renovated houses.
In a message relayed by his senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, Anwar said the affected owners would receive compensation based on the future property value, unlike now where compensation is based on the current property value.
He also said the compensation included transit housing rental payments, ex-gratia payments for renovation of existing properties, and other payments to financially aid the owners during the construction.
He asserted that Malays will not lose their place in the city as owners will be fairly compensated while their rights are protected.
Prime Minister Anwar IbrahimMeanwhile, Tengku Razaleigh said the bill could be agreed to if amendments were made to several sections, leaving other parts untouched.
“For example, the amendments will not change the assessment of areas developed by developers or by the government,” he said.
PM term limit
Separately, the former Gua Musang MP agreed with the proposal to limit the prime minister’s tenure to two terms.
He said that many developed countries in the world have adopted this method to strengthen national administration.
“I think in Malaysia it would be good to attract more youths to join politics.
“If they have the potential to lead, why not let them come up with new ideas to be in line with international developments,” said the 87-year-old.
Besides that, Tengku Razaleigh predicted that BN would not have a hard time defending the Ayer Kuning state seat in the upcoming by-election.
Based on the results of the previous general election, BN could win with a large majority, he said.
“In the past, we won easily there. I don’t think the situation of the voters there has changed much now,” he said. - Mkini

---