LETTER | A recent commentary says Malaysia doesn’t need the Urban Renewal Act (URA) because the government can fund big projects. It is a set of rules that protects owners. What the URA adds is balance and accountability, including an Urban Renewal Mediation Committee to help settle disputes between owners, developers and authorities. Rather than an exception, the URA makes renewal the norm, and limits government by clear rules so outcomes are owner-centred and durable. But when a building is beyond repair, owners deserve a lawful, fair and time-certain path to something better.