PUTRAJAYA, Jan 23 — The Urban Renewal Bill 2025 (URA) has been withdrawn for improvements before it is retabled in Parliament, said Madani Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also communications minister, said the Cabinet agreed in principle that the URA must more effectively and fairly address urban housing issues, particularly those that affect the urban poor.
“The Cabinet agreed today to withdraw the Urban Renewal Bill to allow for amendments and enhancements, which will be presented, scrutinised, discussed and decided by the Cabinet at a later date to be announced.
“It will then be retabled in Parliament in the form of a new bill,” he told a weekly press conference here today.
The minister said the move considered views by MPs during the Dewan Rakyat debate, as well as feedback from UMNO and other Cabinet members.
Fahmi said the revised bill would incorporate feedback from various stakeholders, adding that Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming had indicated that many proposals from UMNO would be included in the new draft.
“The intention is to refine the process and improve the bill after considering extensive feedback, including from MPs,” he said.
On when the bill would be retabled, Fahmi said the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) would draft the new law, which would take some time.
He said the Cabinet would be briefed once the process starts, and would discuss the draft before it is again submitted to the AGC.
Fahmi also expressed appreciation to the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) and the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) for their engagement efforts and earlier proposals to improve the bill.
On Tuesday, Nga reportedly said KPKT was prepared to retable the URA for a second reading, citing its importance to residents affected by dilapidated, ageing and unsafe buildings.
The bill was tabled for second reading on August 28 last year but was not debated, and was later deferred following concerns and objections raised, including by Barisan Nasional and Parti Keadilan Rakyat MPs.
The bill is an initiative under KPKT and PLANMalaysia to renew dilapidated, ageing and unsafe urban areas in Malaysia.
