PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned various parties not to disrupt the government's efforts to assist the urban poor by organising protests against the proposed Urban Renewal Bill (URB).
Speaking at the launch of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) Wakaf Madani endowment fund, he said, the government’s intention in introducing the bill was to improve the living conditions of the poor, many of whom have been forced to live in dilapidated flats with inadequate facilities, such as one room and a single bathroom, in Kuala Lumpur.
“We aim to use this law to revitalise the city, for example, the Malays in urban Kuala Lumpur do not have to continue living in miserable conditions, as they have for 50 or 60 years, in cramped, single-room flats.
“Yet, there are some who oppose this, planning to hold a rally against it,” Anwar said.
He added: “Let me tell them, do not challenge us. We are committed to helping the poor, the majority of whom are Malay, with smaller groups from the Indian and Chinese communities. If they plan to hold a rally, we can also hold one at a stadium to defend our policy to help the Malay community.”
The Prime Minister also criticised those who opposed the urban renewal initiative, particularly those using the name of Malay and Islamic parties.
“…The ones opposing this are Malays, using the names of Malay and Islamic parties. What have they ever proposed to help the Malays? Nothing. Have they suggested any plans to assist the Malay poor in the city? Nothing,” he said.
Anwar reiterated that the proposed Urban Renewal Bill, which will be presented in Parliament, would not alter the status of the land involved, including strata ownership rights.
Earlier, media reports indicated that the youth wing of the PAS party planned to hold a large-scale rally to protest the government’s introduction of the bill. – March 15, 2025
