By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 2: Should the Urban Renewal Act (URA) be passed, old or ageing shophouses such as the ones in Padungan, Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street, Main Bazaar, and along Green Road in Kuching may become likely targets.
In a press statement, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan expressed concern that the proposed law—which aims to redevelop old, run-down buildings and neighbourhoods—if passed in Parliament, may affect or be extended to Sarawak and Sabah.
He claimed many quarters are voicing their concern over the Act because they fear that it would be unfair to property owners while benefiting property developers.
“The Urban Renewal Act, once passed, should be challenged in court as unconstitutional. The Federal Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and no legislation should be enacted that violates the protection of property rights guaranteed under Article 13,” he said.
Voon went on to explain that Article 13(1) of the Federal Constitution provides that no person shall be deprived of property save in accordance with the law.
He added that further protection is given to property owners under Article 13(2), which states that no law shall provide for the compulsory acquisition or use of property without adequate compensation.
“What constitutes adequate compensation is open to debate. For instance, an old or ageing two-storey shophouse may have a market value of RM5 million, but what happens if a developer redevelops that same piece of land into a 20-storey building capable of generating RM20 million in revenue? Is the RM5 million an adequate compensation to the property owner?” he questioned.
He also stressed that the URA could be subjected to abuse by interested parties to enrich themselves at the expense of property owners.
“If this Urban Renewal Act is passed, old or ageing shophouses like those in Padungan, Carpenter Street and Ewe Hai Street, Main Bazaar and along Green Road in Kuching may become likely targets to unscrupulous developers and people on the corridors of power.
“There are many old or worn-out buildings in Sarawak that could become easy targets too,” he said.
URA was previously tabled for its first and second readings in the Dewan Rakyat in August but has been postponed to the next Dewan Rakyat meeting in October following concerns raised. — DayakDaily
