COMMENT | G25 Malaysia is deeply concerned by the tabling of the Urban Renewal Bill 2025, which has now been postponed during its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat following strong public backlash.

While the goal of revitalising ageing urban areas is legitimate, the implementation proposed in the current bill is gravely flawed, risks violating constitutional protections, and threatens to entrench inequality in cities.

At the heart of the controversy is Article 13 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees every Malaysian the right to property.

Despite the minister’s recent decision to standardise all consent thresholds to 80 percent regardless of the age of the buildings, this means that even if up to 20 percent of owners object, their rights can be overridden.

The proposed bill creates a dangerous precedent where private property can effectively be...