SHAH ALAM, Nov 24 — Selangor is reviewing a new legal mechanism to facilitate the redevelopment process in older housing areas built by the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), particularly projects that have exceeded 30 years in age.
Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari said the redevelopment of ageing housing has always been among PKNS’s priorities, but several projects identified since 2015 could not proceed due to technical and legal constraints.
The affected areas include PKNS Apartments AU3 in Keramat, PKNS Apartments in Section 17, Petaling Jaya, and PKNS Apartments in Section 16, Shah Alam.
“These three projects could not be implemented due to three main factors: first, the failure to obtain more than 80 per cent approval from residents, as required under the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) Act.
“Second, unreasonable compensation demands from some residents; and third, the absence of suitable temporary relocation sites that meet the needs of the affected communities,” he said.
Amirudin was responding to Sijangkang state assemblyman Dato' Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi's query on the state government’s plans to redevelop housing estates that are over 30 years old and have deteriorated, which were initially developed by state government-linked companies (GLCs), during the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
He added that these challenges have left many older housing areas at risk of further deterioration without a comprehensive renewal process.
“This is the biggest challenge. Without a legal framework such as the Urban Renewal Bill (URA), we cannot carry out comprehensive redevelopment. Old housing will continue to run down,” Amirudin said.
The Menteri Besar also stressed that every redevelopment project must ensure residents receive replacement housing units before the old premises are demolished.
“We cannot ask residents to vacate without temporary accommodation. Developers are required to provide replacement units beforehand,” he said.
For the record, the Federal government is currently drafting the URA. However, in August, the tabling of the Bill in Parliament was postponed following criticism from various parties.
Previously, Amirudin said the Bill could help Selangor address issues in ageing urban areas.
