Ura Threat To Low Income Communities Heritage Settlements

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The optics of visiting or even temporarily staying in dilapidated, low-cost flats do little to address the core issues embedded in the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA).
While the draft bill may soon be presented in Parliament, the government, particularly Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is engaging in political theatrics to make the URA appear more appealing to the public.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has recently invited members of the opposition to visit these rundown urban dwellings.
Such gestures amount to little more than cheap publicity stunts. Nga surely knows that these visits will do nothing to build genuine momentum or consensus for the URA.
ADSThe real problem with the URA lies in its troubling provisions, especially the potential reduction in the consent threshold required for selling apartment units in urban renewal zones.
URA could backfire
Rumours suggest the current 100 percent consent requirement may be lowered to 70 percent or less.
If true, this could strip low-income owners of the control they currently have over their homes and open the door to coercive sales.
Equally concerning is the looming threat of gentrification. Once low-cost housing is sold to developers, original occupants may have no say in the type of redevelopment that follows.
Even if they retain ownership, rising property values may pressure them to sell to the highest bidder, resulting in their eventual displacement.
This process could erode long-standing urban communities, displace historically rooted populations - Malays, Chinese, and Indians alike - and wipe out heritage settlements under the guise of “development”.
The URA, rather than serving as a tool to uplift the poor, risks becoming a mechanism that benefits wealthy developers and politically connected elites.
Hold URA, debate in Parliament
Anwar appears eager to push the legislation through Parliament, focusing only on its perceived benefits while ignoring the deep-seated issues it poses.
The opposition’s criticism is not aimed at the idea of urban renewal per se, but at the pernicious elements of the legislation that threaten to marginalise vulnerable communities.
Yet, instead of listening and engaging in meaningful dialogue, the government dismisses these concerns and relies on publicity gimmicks.
ADSUrimai strongly urges the government to postpone the introduction of the URA. A full and open debate must be held in Parliament to examine both the benefits and the potential harms of the legislation.
It is only through such democratic engagement that fair and inclusive urban development can be achieved. - Mkini
P RAMASAMY is former deputy Penang chief minister II and Urimai chairperson.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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