Why are 3 Laws Being Rushed?

 

Justice delayed is justice denied, but justice rushed is justice crushed - William Gladstone, former British Prime Minister

 Recently, three (now may be only two) major laws; the Urban Renewal Authority Bill (is deferred to a later date), the Gig Workers Bill, and the Government Procurement Bill 2025 were tabled in Parliament at a speed rarely seen in Malaysia’s legislative process. On paper, they represent reforms few would oppose modernising urban redevelopment, protecting gig workers, and bringing transparency to public procurement.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law

 

Yet, instead of appreciation, these bills have triggered a wave of resistance across Parliament, civil society, and affected communities. The backlash was unusual not because Malaysians oppose reform, but because of how these laws were drafted and rushed forward.

MPs complained about compressed timelines. Residents feared forced evictions under the URA Bill’s lowered consent thresholds. Gig workers felt sidelined as definitions and protections were finalized without real co-creation. SMEs warned that procurement reforms might favour large players if compliance costs went unchecked. 

What makes this particularly striking is that Malaysia already has a system to prevent exactly this kind of situation. The National Policy on Good Regulatory Practice (NPGRP) requires every ministry to conduct a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) for new laws, with clear problem statements, evaluation of policy options, cost-benefit analysis, and at least 30 days of stakeholder consultation before any bill is tabled. The process exists to ensure laws are not only technically sound but also socially legitimate. 

Globally, governments face tight timelines. Scotland mandates a 12-week consultation period for major legislation. New Zealand requires Regulatory Impact Assessments before a bill even reaches Parliament. The EU goes further, obliging governments to publish public feedback reports showing which recommendations were accepted or rejected and why. These practices do not slow reform; they make it stronger, reducing the risk of amendments, court challenges, or public resistance after laws come into force. 

Malaysia can adopt similar safeguards without paralysing the legislative process. A minimum consultation window, fast-track parliamentary committees for complex bills, and pilot programs for high-impact reforms could all strike a balance between speed and substance. The key is transparency: publishing consultation feedback and RIA summaries would show citizens and businesses how their voices shaped the outcome. 

Reforms only work when people trust them. Laws passed in haste risk weak enforcement, constant amendments, and public suspicion. Malaysia needs urban renewal, gig worker protections, and procurement transparency but it also needs to prove that reform is being done with people, not around them.

Reform done right takes time. Reform done wrong takes forever to fix. These are not the reforms for a Unity Government. It creates disunity, lack of transparency and poor governance. 

Reference:

Rushed Laws, Silenced Voices: How Three Bills Shook Malaysia’s Parliament,

Wan Md Hazlin Agyl (Wan Agyl) Wan Hassan CMILT, 28 August 2025