THE Urban Renewal Act (URA) will ensure all ordinary Malaysians have access to safe, decent, and liveable homes, said Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid.
“For too long, our urban centres — once proud symbols of growth and diversity — have been allowed to crumble under the weight of neglect, outdated infrastructure, and poor planning.
“If we continue to ignore this, many of our neighbourhoods will slip further into decay, dragging down the quality of life for millions,” she said in a statement.
She explained that the Act proposes proper legal frameworks, transparent compensation, public consultation, and a people-first approach to redevelopment.
“It moves us away from an era of shady backdoor deals and unchecked development — and toward a system that’s fair, transparent, and sustainable,” she said.
However, she said instead of working together to fix what’s broken, some quarters in the opposition were using race to stoke fear.
She said this brand of politics is not only reckless but it does nothing to address the real struggles faced by everyday Malaysians.
“Just last week, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming invited opposition MPs to visit run-down flats in the Klang Valley to see for themselves the urgency of urban renewal.
“Not one showed up. Instead of showing leadership, they stayed silent — content to criticise from afar,” she said.
She said the problems continue to mount. “In places like Rifle Range in Penang — once a pioneering model of public housing — the buildings are now falling apart. “Residents face outdated wiring, pest infestations, poor ventilation, and lifts that break down regularly.
“Many have asked for help for years, but efforts have been stalled by bureaucracy and the absence of a national legal mechanism,”.
Syerleena said Penang has tried to act on its own, but without federal support, even the best intentions get tangled in red tape. “The URA can change that — giving states the power and resources to act decisively, while ensuring that no community is left behind,” she added.
She stressed that Malay rights are protected under our Federal Constitution — and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated this fact time and again.
“The URA is a tool for progress that upholds fairness and presents hope and about making sure our children grow up with access to parks and clean walkways, not rat-infested corridors.
“While making sure our seniors live in comfort and not in fear of building collapse,” she said.
Rifle Range, like so many communities across the country, is multiracial. Malays, Chinese, Indians — all struggling with the same issues: failing infrastructure, unsafe buildings, and a lack of basic services.
Supporting the URA means choosing a Malaysia that works for everyone — not just for those lucky enough to live behind security guards and gated fences, she added. – May 5, 2025
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