Policy

Malaysia’s proposed Urban Renewal Act (URA) has emerged as one of the most debated pieces of draft legislation in recent years. Intended to accelerate the redevelopment of ageing or under-utilised urban areas, the Act sits at the intersection of urban planning, property rights and long-term investor confidence. While much of the public discourse has focused on Malaysian homeowners, the implications...

Malaysia Rejects En-Bloc Sale Model to Protect Community Rights in Urban Renewal Malaysia has taken a firm stance against the en-bloc sale model commonly practised in countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, choosing instead a people-first redevelopment framework designed to prevent forced relocation, gentrification and loss of community identity. PLANMalaysia’s deputy director general...

Budi95 Fuel Subsidy Programme Rolls Out with MyKad Verification The Malaysian government is set to launch its Budi Madani RON95 programme (Budi95) this Saturday, September 27, 2025, ushering in a new era of targeted fuel subsidies. Under the initiative, MyKad readers will be installed at all petrol stations and pump terminals, allowing eligible recipients to access RON95 petrol at a subsidised price of...

Urban Renewal Bill 2025: Safer Cities and Property Market Transformation The Urban Renewal Bill 2025 is shaping up to be one of Malaysia’s most significant pieces of legislation for urban development. Announced by the Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT), the Bill introduces new rules to address the challenges of ageing housing stock, dilapidated neighbourhoods, and stalled redevelopment...

Urban Renewal Act: A New Framework for Malaysian Cities and KL Property Cities evolve. Buildings age, infrastructure decays, and once-thriving neighborhoods fall into neglect. Malaysia’s Urban Renewal Act (URA) has been proposed as a solution to these challenges — aiming to modernize dilapidated areas, unlock stalled redevelopment projects, and make cities more liveable. For Kuala Lumpur especially,...

Malaysia to Tighten Rules for Short-Term Rental Operators Short-term rental accommodation (STRA) providers in Malaysia—covering platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and other short-stay operators—will soon be required to obtain a business licence from their local authority before registering as tourist accommodation premises. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing confirmed that...

Malaysia’s Short-Term Rental Sector to Get Nationwide Framework Malaysia’s short-term rental market—covering platforms like Airbnb and other Short-Term Residential Accommodation (STRA) services—is set for its first nationwide framework. Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan announced that draft STRA guidelines, developed by the Housing and Local Government Ministry...

Malaysia’s Property Market Remains Largely Local Despite ongoing conversations about foreign investment in Malaysian real estate, newly released government data confirms that the overwhelming majority of property transactions are still driven by locals. According to the Housing and Local Government Ministry, only 1,459 property purchases by foreigners were recorded last year—accounting for just 0.56%...

Towards First-Class Strata Management in Malaysia As Malaysia’s cities grow vertically, strata-titled developments—condominiums, serviced apartments, and SOHOs—are becoming the norm. But while the skyline transforms, many property owners and joint management bodies (JMBs) still face frustrating challenges: unpaid maintenance fees, slow repairs, weak enforcement, and regulatory confusion. At the...

Understanding the Need for the Real Property Development Act (RPDA) The proposed Real Property Development Act (RPDA) has sparked considerable discussion among consumers and industry stakeholders. Many believe that the act is long overdue, given the challenges buyers face when investing in mixed-use and commercial properties. The key concern is that the current legal framework, specifically the Housing...