Malaysia

Urban Renewal Bill delayed amid backbench pushback and public protest

Controversial Urban Renewal Bill will not be passed in current Dewan Rakyat sitting as government opts to defer it for further scrutiny following objections from BN and PKR MPs

Updated 9 months ago · Published on 28 Aug 2025 4:59PM

Urban Renewal Bill delayed amid backbench pushback and public protest
Bill being deferred for further scrutiny. It will be brought to the next session - August 28, 2025

THE Urban Renewal Bill (RUU Pembaharuan Semula Bandar, or PSB) will not be passed during today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting, as the government has decided to postpone the legislation to a future session following internal objections and public protest.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the Bill will proceed with its second reading this afternoon but will not be debated or voted on during this sitting.

“It’s being deferred for further scrutiny. It will be brought to the next session,” the source said briefly when contacted today.

The delay comes after concerns and opposition were raised by several Members of Parliament, including those from Barisan Nasional (BN) and PKR. This morning, BN Deputy Chairman and Rembau MP, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, confirmed that BN MPs had reached a consensus to call for the Bill’s postponement following a caucus meeting.

The Bill has drawn criticism from multiple quarters and even sparked a protest at the entrance of Parliament earlier this week, with demonstrators urging the government not to proceed with its passage.

The Urban Renewal Bill was first tabled in the Dewan Rakyat last Thursday by Local Government and Housing Minister Nga Kor Ming.

According to the Order Paper for today’s parliamentary proceedings, the Bill was scheduled for its second reading after the conclusion of debates on the Gig Workers Bill 2025.

The next Dewan Rakyat session will run from 6 October to 4 December, spanning 35 days. It will focus primarily on the tabling, debate, and passage of the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026, which is expected to be presented by the Finance Minister on 10 October. - August 28, 2025

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