An Act That Protects or Harms the People?
The government is currently actively promoting the Urban Renewal Act (URA) aimed at improving dilapidated areas, especially those inhabited by low-income groups.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed that this act will not affect the original owners and will ensure justice for all parties.
However, the reaction of the community, especially the residents of Kampung Sungai Baru, tells a different story.
With only RM450 per square foot as compensation, many are wondering how this value was determined, especially when land in nearby locations is said to be worth more than RM1,000 per square foot.
In fact, previously, the Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration had proposed a more reasonable price of around RM3,000 per square foot.
More interestingly, the amendment to the URA allows land acquisition to be carried out with the consent of only 80% of the owners, compared to 100% previously.
This means that if the majority agrees, the rest must comply.
Muar MP Syed Saddiq dubbed the act the “House Grab Act”, but the government insists it is for development.
So, is URA really an urban renewal act, or just a new way for some to ‘buy cheap, sell expensive’?
