Urban renewal isn't a threat — it's the help our cities desperately need — Syerleena Abdul Rashid

⁠'The right to housing means the right to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity — not in overcrowded, crumbling flats or flood-prone slums.' — United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
MAY 5 — Malaysia is at a crossroads. For too long, our urban centres — once proud symbols of growth and diversity — have been allowed to crumble under the weight of neglect, outdated infrastructure, and poor planning. If we continue to ignore this, many of our neighbourhoods will slip further into decay, dragging down the quality of life for millions.
The Urban Renewal Act (URA) is our opportunity to reverse that decline. It is not about luxury condos or gentrification — it is about ensuring that ordinary Malaysians have access to safe, decent, and liveable homes. It is about fixing what's broken — and doing it right.
The Act proposes what we've long needed: proper legal frameworks, transparent compensation, public consultation, and a people-first approach to redevelopment. It moves us away from an era of shady backdoor deals and unchecked development — and toward a system that's fair, transparent, and sustainable.
Unfortunately, instead of working together to fix what's broken, some quarters of the opposition are once again resorting to an all-too-familiar playbook — using race to stoke fear. This brand of lazy politics is not only reckless but it does nothing to address the real struggles faced by everyday Malaysians.
Just last week, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming invited opposition MPs to visit run-down flats in the Klang Valley to see for themselves the urgency of urban renewal. Not a single one showed up. Instead of showing leadership, they stayed silent — content to criticise from afar.
Meanwhile, the problems continue to mount. In places like Rifle Range in Penang — once a pioneering model of public housing — the buildings are now falling apart. Residents face outdated wiring, pest infestations, poor ventilation, and lifts that break down regularly. Many have asked for help for years, but efforts have been stalled by bureaucracy and the absence of a national legal mechanism.
In places like Rifle Range in Penang, once a pioneering model of public housing, the buildings are now falling apart. Residents face outdated wiring, pest infestations, poor ventilation, and lifts that break down regularly. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
Penang has tried to act on its own, but without federal support, even the best intentions get tangled in red tape. The URA can change that — giving states the power and resources to act decisively, while ensuring that no community is left behind.
So when certain politicians claim that the URA is a threat to Malay land or heritage, let's call it what it is, and that is, misinformation. Malay rights are protected under our Federal Constitution — and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated this fact time and again.
The URA is a tool for progress that upholds fairness and presents hope. It is about making sure our children grow up with access to parks and clean walkways, not rat-infested corridors. While making sure our seniors live in comfort and not in fear of building collapse. Rifle Range, like so many communities across the country, is multiracial. Malays, Chinese, Indians — all struggling with the same issues: failing infrastructure, unsafe buildings, and a lack of basic services.
Supporting the URA means choosing a Malaysia that works for everyone — not just for those lucky enough to live behind security guards and gated fences.
In the end, the choice is simple: fix what's broken — or leave it to crumble.
And we choose to fix it.
* Syerleena Abdul Rashid is the Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera
** This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

New Straits Times

33 minutes ago

• New Straits Times

Malaysians evacuated safely from Iran, expected to arrive tonight

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians evacuated from Iran are expected to arrive in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) tonight via Malaysia Airlines flight MH781. According to the Wisma Putra, the evacuees departed aboard Turkmenistan Airlines flight T5-647 today and are currently en route to Malaysia via Bangkok, Thailand. They are expected to arrive here at 10.50pm. The evacuation was facilitated by the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran and coordinated with the Malaysian Embassies in Ashgabat and Bangkok. On June 19, the ministry said the evacuation would involve overland travel northeast of Tehran towards the Turkmenistan border. The group would then have to proceed from the border to Turkmenistan's capital of Ashgabat. Yesterday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan ordered the temporary closure of the Malaysian embassy in Iran, directing embassy staff in the country to return home immediately. Mohamad confirmed that many other foreign missions have done the same following the latest developments in the Middle East involving Israel. The United States announced its entry into the Iran-Israel War earlier today, stating that it has carried out attacks on three Iranian nuclear sites, including the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. Entering its second week, Israel began the conflict through 'preemptive' airstrikes on several strategic sites in Iran, including nuclear facilities, missile bases and military command centres, followed with retaliation by the Gulf state.

Focus Malaysia

an hour ago

• Focus Malaysia

New IGP Khalid has a mountain to prove critics wrong he could fare better than people's idol Ayob Khan

THERE seems to be so much politics surrounding the recent appointment of Datuk Seri Khalid Ismail as Malaysia's 15th Inspector General of Police (IGP). This comes about as online debate rages as to why current Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay who has a big fanbase for his 'straight forward, no-nonsense and God-fearing demeanour' was overlooked although he has helmed the current post for two years since June 23, 2023. To begin with, Khalid who is already at a retired age of 60 has been given a two-year contract effective June 23, 2025 till June 22, 2027 (Ayob Khan is one year Khalid's junior). The public discontent which overshadows congratulatory messages for the successor to Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, 62, whose term ends today (June 22) centres on concerns of him being a political tool to the Madani government whose popularity has taken a severe hit ever since the May 23 PKR central leadership polls. A browse on the Facebook pages of Polis Diraja Malaysia (Royal Malaysia Police) and Friends Of PDRM is enough to capture the ground sentiment of the anger and disappointment of the masses who aspire the police force to have a capable and proven righteous leader. Further compounding concerns of Khalid being a potential front to the government of the day was a gaffe by Malay news portal Sinar Harian in his profile which mentioned Khalid as 'a PKR Central Leadership Council member, Kedah PKR leadership council chairman and UMNO Sungai Petani committee member'. Although Sinar Harian has apologised for the oversight, this has raised furore among some Pakatan Harapan (PH) backers who deemed the action as 'clearly intentional by borrowing' the biodata of Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. 'I hope the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) and KDN (Home Ministry) can take firm action against Sinar Harian,' fumed BULETIN RMS (@RajaMohdShahrim). Macam mana kesilapan ni boleh berlaku..?? Jelas disengajakan.. biodata DS Johari Abdul digunakan untuk Ketua Polis Negara yang baru.. Harap MCMC dan KDN ambil tindakan tegas pada Sinar Harian — BULETIN RMS (@RajaMohdShahrim) June 20, 2025 Back to the IGP subject, this Facebook post by former TV3 and NTV7 news presenter Norzie Pak Wan Chek who is currently an editorial advisor at MindQuest Productions Sdn Bhd truly struck the chord as to why many Malaysians are disillusioned that Ayob Khan has been overlooked: Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay was not appointed as our next IGP – and I can't hide my disappointment. This isn't about politics. It's about the kind of leadership we should value. The kind built on courage, humility and a deep sense of responsibility. I've interviewed him several times over the years, and I always looked forward to it. Before and after each interview, I truly enjoyed our conversations. He was thoughtful, calm and grounded – never one to chase the spotlight but always clear on his duty. And more than anything, he came across as a man who truly fears God. That kind of moral compass is rare. He faced down organised crime, drug syndicates and extremism – not from the sidelines but right in the thick of it. And he did it with quiet dignity. Malaysians saw that. We trusted him. Because he didn't just wear the uniform – he honoured it. So yes, this decision stings. Because when someone has already earned the people's respect, what more should it take? But maybe that's the point. Maybe real leadership doesn't always need a title. Maybe it's enough to know that someone like Tan Sri Ayob Khan stood for what is right and still does. And in the hearts of many, that will always count for more. ♥️– June 22, 2025

The Star

3 hours ago

• The Star

RMAF not deploying aircraft to Iran

On the ground: Khaled looking at some fresh Bentong ginger that has been harvested by villagers at Kampung Gembut Sedili in Kota Tinggi during the ginger harvesting programme. Efforts are being made to evacuate Malaysians via land routes, says Khaled KOTA TINGGI: The Royal Malay­sian Air Force (RMAF) will not send its aircraft to Iran to repatriate Malaysians in the country, says Defence Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin. He said Wisma Putra is coordinating efforts to evacuate Malay­sians in Iran via land routes, as there are no inbound and outbound flights from Iran. 'We are not involved in the conflict so (no aircraft is sent there), lest they think we are trying to help Iran. 'Flights are also not allowed to enter or leave Iran at the moment, so Malaysians in the country will be brought out by land to the neighbouring Turkmenistan and flown back to Malaysia via commercial flights,' he told reporters after attending a community ginger harvesting programme in Kampung Gembut, Sedili here yesterday. Khaled noted that only a small number of Malaysians are invol­ved and the repatriation efforts are being carried out by the Foreign Ministry. Although Malaysia is not invol­ved in the Israel-Iran conflict, he said Putrajaya will continue to monitor the situation. 'Conflicts like this, if not resol­ved properly, could lead to a world war. 'When this happens, people all over the world will be affected as oil prices will spike and supplies cut off. Malaysia as a trading nation will also be affected,' he added. The minister said the conflict provides a view of the technologies being deployed, which helps to better ensure Malaysia's readiness in defence. On June 13, Israel launched a series of strikes on Iranian terri­tory, reportedly killing several high-ranking military officials and scientists. In retaliation, Iran fired ballistic missiles at several locations in Israel, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. Wisma Putra confirmed that no Malaysians in Iran have been reported affected by the attacks. On Thursday, government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysian students, tourists and embassy personnel would be assisted to leave Iran by Friday. Malaysians in Iran may contact the Embassy of Malaysia in Tehe­ran at No. 25, 2nd Alley, North Zarafshan St., Shahrak-e-Gharb; call +98 21 8807 2444, +98 21 8807 8606 or +98 933 535 2602, or e-mail mwtehran@ /