A STUDY will be conducted to determine the suitability of including anti-racial discrimination provisions in the proposed Residential Tenancy Act (RTA), says Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

       While acknowledging that such discriminatory practices exist, the Housing and Local Government Minister said the issue needs to be looked into thoroughly.

       “The discrimination issue raised by YB is true. I have listened and seen it for myself but for now, we are studying it in terms of local circumstances,” he said when replying to a supplementary question raised by Ong Kian Ming (PH-Bangi).

       Ong had asked if anti-discriminatory provisions would be included in the proposed law which is to be tabled in Parliament to deal with discriminatory practices by landlords based on race or nationality.

       Reezal said some countries have such laws against discrimination.

       “For example, Australia has it and the United States under the Fair Housing Act 1968 prohibits any advertisement for rental or sale (of premises) based on preferences.

       “But in Malaysia, when we talk about question of discrimination, it is more of preference.

       “It would be awkward if there are laws that restrict the rights of property owners and their preferences.

       “Nevertheless, we will study the suitability of having such elements,” he said.

       On the proposed RTA, the minister said the process to draft the new law was initiated in 2019 and is scheduled to be tabled in Parliament by July next year.

       He said the new law is needed to uniform tenancy agreements in order to better balance the rights of landlords and tenants.

       “The proposed new law will make it easier for the supervision of rental agreements starting from the pre-tenancy period to completion of the agreement,” he said.

       Among the proposed provisions under the new law is to prevent landlords from raising rent during the tenancy contract period.

       “The rent can only be raised after renewal of the rental period and the landlord must give notice in writing – a minimum of 60 days – before the expiry of the tenancy agreement.

       “This will give tenants time to decide if they want to renew the agreement,” he said.

       Under the new law, a special tribunal will be set up to handle disputes between landlords and tenants involving a sum not more than RM250,000.

       At present, disputes between landlords and tenants can only be settled by way of contract law or the Distress Act and Specific Relief Act.

       The tribunal, Reezal said, will speed up the process of settling disputes compared to court proceedings, which take up more time and at a higher cost.