Pas Youth calls on public to oppose "rushed" Urban Renewal Act

SHAH ALAM – Selangor Pas Youth has called on the public, particularly youth in the state, to stand together in opposing the government’s move to approve the Urban Renewal Act (URA), which it claims is being pushed through too hastily.

In a statement on Facebook, the wing’s deputy chief, Muhammad Faizzuddin Mohd Zai said Selangor Pas Youth fully supported the national Pas Youth leadership and would take part in the Himpunan Tolak URA rally scheduled for Oct 4 in Kuala Lumpur.

“Selangor Pas Youth gives its full commitment to the call by the Pas Youth Chief of Malaysia to attend the #TolakURA rally in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, Oct 4.

"The people, especially the youth of Selangor, should gather in solidarity to reject the government’s rushed attempt to pass this Act," the statement read on Tuesday.

Faizzuddin further pointed to the incident at Kampung Sungai Baru, where residents faced forced eviction during a redevelopment dispute, as a warning of what could happen if the Bill became law.

“Even before the URA was enforced, developers had already shown their fangs by forcibly evicting residents without mercy,” the statement said, adding that the episode had tarnished public confidence in how the Act might be implemented.

According to him, the proposed law contained provisions that critics viewed as dangerous, including a low threshold for resident consent and wide discretionary powers for the federal minister.

“We cannot allow irresponsible parties to exploit this Act for their own profit by manipulating the rights of the people,” it added.

Faizzuddin stressed that Pas was not opposed to urban development but warned that the flaws in the draft law required public vigilance.

He also emphasised the need for citizens, especially Selangor’s youth, to speak out rather than remain silent.

“Development must not come at the expense of justice. The voice of the people today is important in determining our future,” he said.

He said their voices were crucial in shaping the nation’s future and described the rally as a platform to show solidarity in rejecting a policy seen as favouring developers who prioritised profit over ordinary citizens’ rights.

“The Selangor Pas Youth calls on all NGOs, students, workers, local communities and the wider public, regardless of background, to come forward and express their objections.

"Your presence will be a sign of love for the state and the country,” the statement added.

The proposed Urban Renewal Act is intended to speed up redevelopment projects in ageing urban areas by setting new rules on land acquisition and resident consent.

Critics, including civil society groups and opposition parties, argued that the Bill granted excessive authority to the federal minister overseeing housing and local government, lowered the threshold of resident agreement required for redevelopment and risked enabling forced evictions without adequate compensation.

Supporters of the Bill said it would modernise cities and boost economic growth, but opponents warned it could leave vulnerable communities exposed to aggressive developers.