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- "Many policies managed at the state level may no longer align with the federal government’s direction."
PUTRAJAYA (Sept 22): Land administrators and officers at all levels must carry out their responsibilities more meticulously, with strategic foresight, as land issues in Malaysia are becoming increasingly complex, said Acting Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Johari, who is also the Minister of Plantation and Commodities, stressed that Malaysia’s land management requires a new, forward-looking approach, which emphasises cooperation between the federal and state governments to ensure land, as a national asset, is managed strategically, efficiently, and inclusively.
“In the past, we may have taken land matters lightly. But today, the country is moving forward. We need to be more focused and proactive in dealing with challenges we have never faced before,” he said.
“Take the redevelopment of PKNS flats in Kampung Baru, for example. Previously, there were no major disputes over land status. But now, the Kampung Sungai Baru issue has become a major point of contention,” he said when officiating the 9th National Land Day celebration on Monday.
Referring to the Kampung Sungai Baru case, Johari said the lack of consensus has made it difficult for developers to proceed, while political sentiments have intensified the situation, which has led to the involvement of enforcement agencies such as the police and the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) during recent disputes.
As such, he urged all stakeholders, including developers, politicians, and government departments, to adhere to official definitions and policies related to land, warning that the development narrative must be government-led.
“When opinions are split and political actors enter the fray, along with opportunistic developers, it creates confusion, especially when there's no clear definition between Malay reserve land, ordinary land, freehold, and leasehold status. This is something we must rectify. The government must lead the narrative, not developers or politicians,” he asserted.
Johari also highlighted the importance of strengthening federal-state collaboration in land governance, to avoid overlapping policies and project delays.
“In the past, we didn’t face such issues. But now, after 68 years of independence, the structure and governance at the state level have evolved. Many policies managed at the state level may no longer align with the federal government’s direction.
“This is something we must look into seriously. Even if certain problems haven’t surfaced yet, they may become future issues. As we move forward, we must remain vigilant," he added.
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