UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has urged delegates of the upcoming ‘Konvensyen Melayu Bandar’ to provide clear and constructive views on the proposed Urban Renewal Bill (RUU Pembaharuan Semula Bandar, or PSB), as public debate over its necessity and implications continues to intensify.
Johari, who chairs UMNO’s special task force tasked with improving the bill, said many questions had been raised about the rationale behind drafting a new law, especially given the existence of the Strata Titles Act and the Land Acquisition Act.
“Many have asked me, why do we need the PSB when we already have the Strata Titles Act and the Land Acquisition Act?” he told Buletin TV3 following a meeting of the task force. “They question why we don’t simply amend the existing laws if they are found to be lacking.”
Johari, who is also Minister of Plantation and Commodities, stressed that the bill must be sensitive to the realities faced by residents in low-income housing areas, which are most likely to be affected by redevelopment.
He expressed hope that community feedback would be reflected in the final draft of the legislation.
The ‘Konvensyen Melayu Bandar’, scheduled for 3 October, is expected to gather around 1,000 participants, including representatives from residents' associations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and academic experts.
A resolution from the convention will be submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Urban Renewal Bill, introduced by Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming, was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on 21 August.
Although it was scheduled for a second reading on 28 August, the debate has since been postponed to the next parliamentary session, which runs from 6 October to 4 December. - September 24, 2025
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