KUALA LUMPUR: The Town and Country Planning (Amendment) Bill 2016, tabled for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today, was passed after a vote by division with 63 for and 51 against.
The division vote was taken after a voice vote proved inconclusive.
It was preceded by a much-heated debate as Opposition lawmakers argued with Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Tan Sri Noh Omar and Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN-Setiu).
Under the new Section 20B, it shall be the duty of every federal and state government department or agency to seek advice from the National Physical Planning Council on development proposals.
This applies to development proposals relating to any coastal reclamation excluding reclamation for the construction of a jetty or beach rehabilitation, and any construction of a major national infrastructure such as airports, seaports, and other infrastructure of national interest, as determined by the council.
Under the amendment of Section 21A, every development project must also have a social impact assessment report, with mitigation actions to overcome social problems that may arise.