Urban Renewal Act Pas Youth Claims Non Bumi Will Out Buy Extra Units

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PAS Youth has doubled down on its opposition against Putrajaya’s proposed Urban Renewal Act, cautioning that the legislation could lead to a gentrification phenomenon negatively impacting lower income Malay communities.
This is despite the government assuring that the original occupants of dilapidated housing would remain owners of redeveloped properties.
PAS Youth deputy chief Hafez Sabri, however, raised the spectre of non-bumiputera snapping up new units created by such redevelopment.
“A significant increase in the plot ratio, where there are no quotas and conditions for buyers of new units, has the potential to attract the interest of non-bumiputera who can afford (such purchases), thus causing gentrification,” Hafez (above) said in a statement today.
Ticking time bomb
The Manjoi assemblyperson cautioned that gentrification will create socioeconomic and sociocultural gaps affecting the economic landscape in a way beneficial to wealthy groups, but disadvantageous to original occupants and low-income hopeful homeowners.
He said this would make life for the original inhabitants - whom he painted as minorities in urban areas - more uncomfortable.
“Due to high living costs and uncomfortable living environments, the minority (of landowners), especially the Malays, will be forced to find new homes in the suburbs, causing the racial composition in the cities to become increasingly unstable.
“The minority population will continue to live in the provided replacement units, but in a marginalised and pressured state,” Hafez added.
He labelled such a situation as a ticking time bomb, risking social stability and national security in the long run.
On Feb 19, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man highlighted that redevelopment efforts under the proposed law could see original occupants unable to repurchase their homes due to increased costs.
Claiming that the bill is a subtle method to displace poor Malays and Indians from urban areas, the Kubang Kerian MP said Perikatan Nasional lawmakers would oppose the bill as it could pose a threat to societal harmony.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim later told the Dewan Rakyat that the proposed Act would not force property owners to surrender their homes or alter the ethnic composition of residential areas.
The prime minister also assured that the bill would not contain provisions which could lead to owners, irrespective of their race, losing ownership of their property.
Protecting minority landowners
Hafez also denied accusations of PAS being “anti-development”, reiterating concerns on how minority landowners’ rights could be impacted.
This is as the bill seeks to lower the threshold for owners’ approval of urban renewal projects.
“While there has been an explanation from the government relating to minority residents, (such responses) seem to have been made in a hurry as it has been confusing and there are contradictions between documents.
“This mechanism needs to be studied more thoroughly and carefully to ensure owners’ rights are not compromised,” he emphasised.
Bigger protest warning
PAS Youth intends to proceed with a mass rally protesting the potential legislation.
Claiming that the government has failed to adequately address concerns on the bill, Hafez stressed that the planned gathering is to voice frustrations over responses from “arrogant” government figures who have “denied the rakyat’s questions and concerns”.
He urged the government to consider renegotiating details of the bill and ensure holistic explanations are provided to stakeholders.
Failure to address concerns, Hafez said, will cause the rally to proceed on a far “bigger scale”.
PAS Youth has yet to set a date or location for its mass demonstration.
The proposed legislation is likely to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat in June or July. - Mkini

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