Are you defending Malays or preventing help, Ampang MP asks URA critics

 

Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail questioned the critics of the proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) if they oppose the legislation merely for the sake of it.

In a statement today, she said URA critics such as PAS Youth claim to be defending Malay rights, but they are actually obstructing the government from helping urban Malays.

"What they are doing is standing in the way of progress when the government is trying to help urban Malays who have been left to suffer in poverty under previous administrations.

"Ironically, PAS itself has no record of helping urban Malays," she claimed, referring to the party's previous stint in the federal government.

Ampang MP Rodziah Ismail

Rodziah said the law could revitalise older urban areas plagued with bad town planning and deteriorating infrastructure, improving standards of living as a result.

"It is a great way to revitalise urban centres, especially areas with ageing infrastructure. The URA would allow for better restructuring and planning in deteriorating townships that initially grew haphazardly, albeit organically.

"This would allow better access to an upgraded public transport system and key institutions such as hospitals and schools, simultaneously enhancing community services and increasing job opportunities," she said.

Estimated gross development

Rodziah added that the government had identified 139 pieces of land in Kuala Lumpur for redevelopment, out of which 91 are residential properties.

Rodziah also pointed out that 78 percent of Malaysians now live in urban centres such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Ipoh, and Johor Bahru, many among them being low-income Malay families who continue to live in dilapidated housing despite economic progress.

The PKR leader added that the projects could generate an estimated gross development value of RM332.5 billion if the URA is approved.

Rodziah further said she looks forward to the bill's passage as there are many dilapidated low-cost flats in her constituency.

"Critics should self-reflect and ask if they are really helping the issue or just finding things to shout about," Rodziah said. - Mkini