LABUAN: Malaysia’s Department of Town and Country Planning (PLANMalaysia) is intensifying public engagement efforts nationwide to accelerate the approval of the Urban Renewal Act (URA), a key piece of legislation aimed at delivering safer, fairer and more sustainable urban development.
Director-General Datuk Dr Alias Rameli said meaningful public participation is essential to building trust and addressing misconceptions surrounding urban renewal initiatives. He stressed that urban renewal is not merely a development agenda, but a moral responsibility to protect residents, particularly those living in ageing and structurally vulnerable buildings.
According to Alias, many older urban areas face increasing safety risks due to deteriorating infrastructure, outdated building standards and limited access to quality public spaces. Without a dedicated legal framework such as the URA, renewal efforts often encounter regulatory hurdles and public resistance rooted in fear of displacement or loss of community identity.
“To address these concerns, PLANMalaysia is prioritising open dialogue, stakeholder consultations and community engagement. Our goal is to ensure urban renewal is carried out transparently, respectfully and inclusively,” he said at the World Town Planning Day 2025 celebration in Labuan.
Alias noted that engagement sessions held in late November reinforced the urgency of urban renewal, particularly as a preventive measure to avoid potential safety incidents in high-risk areas. Delaying renewal, he added, could expose communities to avoidable hazards.
In Labuan, the Labuan Structure Plan 2040 provides a strategic blueprint for guiding the territory’s future growth. Key initiatives include the Labuan Waterfront Phase One project, the demolition of ageing structures such as Hotel Labuan, and the adaptive reuse of older buildings.
These initiatives are designed not only to improve urban aesthetics, but also to stimulate economic growth, attract investment and boost tourism. Alias emphasised that successful urban renewal must balance development objectives with social equity and environmental sustainability.
Labuan Corporation CEO Mohd Sukuran Taib highlighted the CHASE city concept — clean, healthy, advanced, safe and sustainable — as the foundation of urban planning in the territory. The concept guides efforts to enhance city branding, develop smart city initiatives and improve urban liveability.
Alias concluded that effective urban renewal depends on three core principles: comprehensive planning aligned with structural plans, inclusive participation of all stakeholders, and evidence-based decision-making grounded in data and impact assessments.