PKR’s Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung has voiced caution over the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA), stressing that demolition and rebuilding should be the last resort, not the first option.
Lee said Petaling Jaya has one of the highest densities in Malaysia, at 8,300 people per sq km, comparable to Singapore, with many ageing apartments in poor condition.
“I do not deny that some blocks are beyond repair and need redevelopment. But not all old buildings should be torn down. The Act’s noble intention to improve urban living standards should only be applied as a last solution,” he said.
According to Lee, the real challenge lies in poor maintenance, unpaid management fees, uncooperative residents, non-performing management bodies, costly elevator repairs, lack of parking, and vandalism.
He stressed that rejuvenation should precede rebuilding, otherwise, the demolish-and-rebuild process will be costly, impoverish residents and marginalise existing communities.
He warned that a rebuild-first approach risks displacing existing residents and deepening inequality. About 30% to 50% of PJ’s residents are tenants, while most owners are not wealthy. Replacing low-cost flats with expensive condominiums may increase property value but would burden owners with higher maintenance fees and force tenants to relocate to suburbs with higher commuting costs.
“This will lead to gentrification, where city centres are dominated by high-income groups,” he cautioned.
Lee urged the government to prioritise reforms in maintenance and liveability first, and ensure urban renewal zones include large-scale social housing programmes to allow original residents to remain.
“If priorities are not set fairly, I find it difficult to support the bill,” he concluded.
