Malaysia's Urban Renewal Act faces homeowner opposition

KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian government's plan to redevelop aging properties has made some homeowners very nervous. One such property is the Cantik Apartments in Cheras, a 40-year-old building that needs repairs. While the building looks worn, many residents do not want to leave their homes for redevelopment. The government plans to introduce the Urban Renewal Act (URA) in July. This law will lower the number of owners needed to agree on redevelopment from 100% to as low as 51%, depending on the property age. Some residents feel this will force them out of their homes and make it hard to afford new housing. Long-time residents like Sukhdev Singh Cheema worry that redevelopment will raise costs. He pointed out that many in the building, including retirees, already struggle with maintenance fees. The opposition party claims the URA will push lower-income earners away from the city, primarily affecting the Malay and Indian communities. Supporters of the URA argue that update is necessary to improve safety and amenities. However, they stress it must be fair to avoid harming those who cannot afford higher living expenses after redevelopment. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim asserts that existing homeowners' rights will be protected. He promises that new units will be available to current residents at affordable rates. He also argues that claims of forced displacement are false. Whether the URA will satisfy both sides remains to be seen. Meanwhile, residents like Cheema are organizing against the change, rallying support from those who want to keep their homes.