KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 13): The Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) said its primary focus in 2025 will be tabling the Urban Renewal Act (URA) to redevelop dilapidated urban areas.

This sits atop the list of 122 action plans the ministry ironed out following its three-day strategic planning meeting, according to KPKT’s statement on Monday.

The URA is envisioned to bring about a wave of urban redevelopment by lowering the bar in buying over strata titles.  

Currently, under Section 57 of the Strata Titles Act 1985, unanimous resolution needs to be achieved before any termination of strata titles of a subdivided building can take place.

The URA, among others, will see the threshold of consent from strata owners be lowered to 80%.

The meeting "highlighted several key priorities, including the enforcement of community service penalties for littering offences, as well as the Indian settlements that were placed under the ministry’s purview last year", the ministry said.

“In addition, the ministry aims to develop high-level talents or subject matter experts to deliver high-quality public services to the people. The ministry has also set its sights on global leadership in sustainable urban development by enhancing its visibility on the national and international level,” the ministry added.  

Further details of the 122 action plans were not disclosed in the statement.

“This year, we aim to elevate Malaysia’s position on the global stage with the Asean chairmanship and our bid for the UN Habitat General Assembly Presidency,” said Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

“The world is watching us, and we must show them what we have to offer. To take the ministry to greater heights, we must enhance the quality of public service by strengthening integrity practices and encouraging honest feedback,” he added.