KUALA LUMPUR – A proposed amendment to the Urban Redevelopment Act (URA) to lower the consent threshold for the sale of old high-rise buildings en-bloc is at odds with plans by the Education Ministry to address overcrowding in schools, according to DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok.
The Seputeh MP said the cabinet must tread carefully on the proposed change to the URA mooted by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, as it will lead to more congested local populations.
Nga in December proposed a lower threshold for the en-bloc sale of old high-rise buildings from 100% to 75%, for the purpose of re-sale for redevelopment.
“This plan to lower the consent threshold for owners of old buildings in cities for urban redevelopment may lead to disproportionate increases in plot ratios for new replacement buildings on the same parcels of land,” Kok said in a statement today.
“This policy direction will certainly cause severe spikes in population densities, overcrowded schools, and traffic congestion in cities.
“I urge the cabinet to proceed with caution regarding the proposed amendments to the URA.”
She also urged all local councils to consult stakeholders, including the education ministry, before allowing redevelopment approvals.
“The cabinet should order all local councils in cities to have better coordination with the education department when approving redevelopment projects, which will increase the population in an area in the city, to avoid overcrowding of schools in the vicinity.
“Developers of high-density redevelopment projects should be asked to contribute to the building fund of schools too.
“We should be mindful of not repeating urban nightmares caused by the previous government in certain parts of Klang Valley now,” she added.
Kok, who is also DAP vice-chairman, was commenting on the proposal by Nga, her party colleague, on the lower consent threshold which he said was in line with that of developed countries.
It means that approval is only needed by 75% of residents in a high-rise building for en-bloc sale for redevelopment projects, as opposed to the present 100%.
Kok said in light of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek’s recent statement on measures to deal with overcrowding in schools, the cabinet should review the proposed lower consent threshold carefully. – April 6, 2024