Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has emphasized that the Urban Renewal Bill is designed to address deteriorating living conditions in Malaysia’s urban areas and is not intended to undermine Malay rights.
Responding to a supplementary question from Hamzah Zainudin during Prime Minister’s Question Time, Anwar clarified that the government remains open to refining the legislation but stressed the urgency of its implementation.
“If adjustments are needed, I’m open to them. The proposed bill isn’t perfect, and we can always make improvements. However, we must not portray it as an attempt to marginalize or oppress the Malays—that’s simply untrue,” he said.
“I see it as my duty to uplift Malays in urban areas. I cannot accept Malays living in deplorable conditions,” Anwar added, underscoring his commitment to improving urban living standards.
Hamzah had inquired whether the government would consider postponing the bill to gather broader feedback. Anwar confirmed that the bill would proceed to its second reading, with the government welcoming constructive suggestions from the Opposition. “If there are good ideas, we’ll adopt them without issue,” he stated.
Addressing concerns raised about the bill’s intent, Anwar firmly rejected claims that it represents a “Chinese strategy” to encroach on Malay rights. “I’m not a puppet. I have a mandate to defend the interests of Malays and Bumiputera, who form the majority, and their fundamental rights,” he asserted.
Anwar stressed the necessity of the legislation to address urban disparities. “We cannot tolerate a scenario where skyscrapers like the Twin Towers dominate cityscapes while Malays endure substandard living conditions,” he said. While details such as thresholds—whether set at 30%, 40%, or 80%—are open for discussion, Anwar insisted that action is imperative.
He appealed for support to enable the government to construct better, more comfortable homes that meet the needs of the majority, predominantly Malays, in urban areas.
