DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded all parties not to misuse the freedom to hold gatherings by resorting to slander and deceit, reported Bernama.
The prime minister said while the government now allows peaceful gatherings with minimal restrictions, organisers must cooperate with the police by providing prior notice to ensure public safety.
“… secondly, the issue must be reasonable. This is about urban development and renewal (and) we are trying to help low-income residents, the majority of whom are Malays.
“So why oppose efforts to redevelop these areas?” he told reporters after officiating the Singgah MADANI programme.
Anwar also lambasted certain parties for exploiting racial sentiments to appear as defenders of Malay rights in urban development issues, despite failing to take meaningful action when they were in power.
"Since when did you start defending (Malay rights)? When you were in power, there was no effort to develop areas where the poor live, old flats, including Malay communities in urban areas. (This) is what we are trying to address," he added.
Anwar warned that such gatherings should not be used as a platform for deception, defamation, or misrepresentation, especially under the guise of defending Islam and Malay interests.
He further stated that the government's efforts to uplift the Malay community often face opposition from a small group of individuals driven by envy.
"Their problem is actually envy; they cannot stand to see others prosper or witness good projects taking place. I don’t think they have seen the flats in Kampung Kerinchi, Seri Perlis. They are in terrible condition," Anwar remarked.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the urban regeneration projects aim to ensure that the poor are not left behind in the country’s development process.
"This is our responsibility. We must use the law to push for the regeneration of these areas," he said.
Anwar also reiterated his stance on the ongoing commitment of the government to push forward with the Urban Regeneration Bill (RUU PSB), which is designed to improve the living conditions of the Malay community in urban areas.
Earlier, reports indicated that the youth wing of PAS was planning to organise a rally to oppose the government's proposed Urban Regeneration Bill (RUU PSB), claiming that it could threaten property rights, particularly for low-income city dwellers. – February 28, 2025
