Kota Kinabalu, 29 August 2025
The attempt by DAP Minister Nga Kor Ming to bulldoze the controversial Urban Renewal Act (URA) through Parliament has ended in a humiliating defeat for the Madani government, after the controversial bill was postponed to the next parliamentary session following massive protests and resistance.
“Nga Kor Ming tried to bulldoze URA through Parliament, but was bulldozed instead — a humiliating defeat for DAP and Madani,” said Lawyer Yong Yit Jee, SAPP Supreme Council Member cum Vice Youth Chief.
This setback is a slap in the face to the Madani government. It proves that DAP’s arrogance and blind push for URA has backfired. When even West Malaysians reject this bill, how can Sabahans ever trust DAP to safeguard our homes and rights?
Meanwhile, Sandakan MP Vivian Wong has echoed the point raised earlier by Yong Yit Jee that the URA does not apply to Sabah and Sarawak because housing, land, and local government are under State List powers protected by MA63 and Article 95E of the Federal Constitution.
But by distancing Sabah from URA, she indirectly admitted how dangerous and controversial the bill really is. The truth is, if KL orders its extension to Sabah, DAP MPs here will have no power to resist. Their subservience is to their federal bosses, not to Sabah.
And let us not forget: these are the same MPs and Assemblypersons who shamelessly withdrew their “40% revenue” legal action against the federal government soon after their bosses became the federal government. When KL snaps its fingers, they submit.
Sabah must vote local to protect autonomy
This is not just about one bill. It is about the survival of Sabah’s constitutional safeguards. If federal encroachment is tolerated in Malaya today, it may be imposed on Sabah tomorrow.
That is why in the coming state election, Sabahans must make a clear choice: stand with local parties like SAPP, who answer only to the people of Sabah, or risk seeing our autonomy sold out by Malaya parties.
Lawyer Yong Yit Jee
SAPP Supreme Councillor cum Vice Youth Chief