KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 13): The Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Rehda) Malaysia said that one of the main issues the upcoming Urban Redevelopment Act will address is the safety of strata residential buildings that were built many decades ago.

“Due to their age, rundown buildings are not aesthetically a representation that we want in our major cities. But most importantly, these buildings may likely pose hidden dangers unknown to the residents, and rejuvenating them is the most sensible move to ensure nothing untoward will happen," said Rehda Malaysia president Datuk Ho Hon Sang in a media release on Friday.

However, he pointed out out that there is only so much repair that can be done before renewal is needed.

According to Ho, the enactment of the Act will provide a more structured guidance in renewal efforts to rebuild urban areas, and this will also breathe new air into the property landscape of Malaysian cities, particularly in areas with a high number of old dilapidated buildings.

“Although the details of the implementation mechanism are still being worked out, we hope that the rakyat’s voice will not be left out in decisions concerning their shelters and homes," he added.

Ho also hopes that with the new urban renewal legislation, Malaysia and its cities will further improve their international standing as sustainable world-class locations comparable to major cities around the world.

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