Kuala Lumpur: The Urban Renewal Bill (PSB) is slated to be tabled in Parliament by June or July this year, following comprehensive legal procedures and stakeholder consultations initiated since December of the previous year. Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) director-general Datuk Dr Alias Rameli confirmed that the final draft of the bill has been submitted to the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) and has received favorable feedback.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Dr Alias Rameli explained that 74 engagement sessions were conducted across the nation, involving professional bodies, ministries, developers, joint management bodies (JMB), management corporations (MC), the public, universities, as well as state governments and local authorities (PBT). He stated that after final discussions with the AGC, the bill would be presented to the Cabinet around April or May. Upon Cabinet approval, consultations with state governments through the National Council for Local Government would follow before the bill is brought to Parliament.
He clarified that the bill would undergo the standard legislative process in Parliament, which includes the first and second readings before it can be passed. Addressing claims about the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) not endorsing the bill, Alias emphasized that JKPTG's role is distinct and does not interfere with urban redevelopment, which is under the jurisdiction of PLANMalaysia and local authorities. He also mentioned that discussions with JKPTG regarding the Strata Titles Act had yielded positive outcomes supporting the Bill.
Datuk Dr Alias Rameli also acknowledged concerns from existing property owners about potential increases in maintenance fees in redevelopment projects. He stated that while public housing maintenance fees were previously as low as RM40 or RM50 per month, urban redevelopment projects would see fees determined by market rates and floor space, potentially ranging from RM150 to RM200 per month. These costs could be covered under development expenses for the first two years, but thereafter, owners would need to shoulder the fees. He highlighted that continuous government subsidization of maintenance fees would not be financially sustainable in the long term.
In conclusion, he reassured that the government remains committed to supporting strata housing communities through various maintenance initiatives under the Malaysia MADANI framework.