Jo Ghani: 456 federal land encroachment cases recorded since 2015
The Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said most encroachers use the land for squatter housing, small businesses, food stalls, and car wash operations.
"According to records from the Department of Director General of Lands and Mines (JKPTG), there have been 465 cases of encroachment on federal land from 2015 to May 2025.
"The total area of land owned by the Federal Government is 215,406 hectares. In the case of Penang, 26 complaints involved encroachment on federal land, affecting 18 land lots.
"To enforce action against encroachment on federal land, JKPTG will coordinate with enforcement agencies, ministries, and relevant user departments. Under Section 425 of the National Land Code, enforcement notices will be issued to the encroachers to vacate the site. Subsequently, the land-holding agency (KJP) must take control measures to prevent repeated encroachment," he said in the Dewan Rakyat during the Minister's Question Time.
He was responding to a question from Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad (PN- Kepala Batas) who asked to state the details of the encroachments on federal government-owned land nationwide and specifically in Penang, the action taken against the encroachers, and whether there are plans to develop land owned by the federal government.
Johari said the respective ministry or user department must take action against encroachers, such as installing signboards, fencing the area, hiring security guards, and demolishing any illegal structures built by encroachers.
"In more extreme cases where the encroachers refuse to vacate and structures are already built, legal action will be taken. If found guilty, the penalty may be up to RM500,000," he said.
Johari said that each parcel of federal land is already planned for development depending on priorities and allocations approved by the federal government.
"To ensure federal land is optimally utilised, JKPTG implements land conversion for use by other ministries and federal agencies that need it, as well as through rental and leasing arrangements," he said.
Johari was also queried by Datuk Adnan Haji Abu Hassan (BN-Kuala Pilah) on the ministry's long-term and comprehensive strategic plan to address the issue of the failure to manage government assets, including abandoned government buildings, which has led to encroachment and wastage of national resources.
Johari said any government land with an assigned user department or ministry becomes their responsibility. If a project or building on the land has been abandoned, the respective ministry must take responsibility to rehabilitate and repurpose the building.
"If left abandoned, especially when the structure is over 40 or 50 years old and no longer suitable, the land must be returned to the federal government. The government will then seek alternative uses for it, such as developing affordable housing," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Felda to consult PMD on RM100,000 allocation for land scheme villages
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) will consult the Prime Minister's Department to determine the best approach for distributing the RM100,000 allocation to each village in its land schemes, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday. Its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the move aims to ensure the funds are distributed efficiently and achieve the government's objectives. "We will refer to PMD to establish the appropriate criteria for recipients to ensure that the assistance is properly utilised and achieves the intended goals," he said. He said the allocation would be tailored to the needs of individual villages, some of which have Land Scheme Working Committees (JKTR), cooperatives, or youth councils. Ahmad Shabery said this to reporters after launching the Felda Robo and Novate 2025 programme, themed 'Young Innovators, Global Future,' at the Mega 3D Carnival (MK3D) 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec). Also present was Felda director-general Datuk Dr Suzana Idayu Wati Osman. Yesterday, Anwar announced the RM100,000 allocation for each village under Felda to fund development projects decided by the local residents. This initiative aligns with the Madani government's focus on consultation and empowering the people. Regarding the delisting of FGV Holdings Bhd (FGV) from Bursa Malaysia, Ahmad Shabery said it should not be viewed negatively. He said delisting will allow for a restructuring of the company without being constrained by the regulations governing public companies, ultimately enabling Felda to fully own FGV and run welfare activities for settlers more effectively. Anwar had earlier confirmed that Felda would have control over FGV's direction once the delisting process is completed, which will begin on August 28.
Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Govt bent on safeguarding Sabah's rights – Anwar
Anwar speaking at the at the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day.-Bernama photo KOTA KINABALU (Aug 3): The Federal Government remains determined to safeguard Sabah's rights as the state is an integral part of Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim asserted. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day here on Sunday, Anwar said the Federal Government will also continue to safeguard the nation's sovereignty against any form of intrusion, whether on land or at sea. He further emphasised that Malaysia is prepared to bring matters concerning Sabah's rights and the country's sovereignty to international court proceedings if necessary. 'Why are we doing this? Because this is our country — Sabah is part of Malaysia. We are spending tens of millions of Ringgit, maybe a hundred million Ringgit, to defend our rights. We will not allow even an inch of our land or sea to be encroached upon. 'Wherever it may be — in the Spanish courts or internationally — we will fight to the maximum to defend Sabah's rights because Sabah is part of Malaysia,' he said. Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, and his deputy Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup. Anwar said the MADANI Government is committed to driving Sabah's development and resolving demands under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) through various initiatives and allocations, stressing that the relationship between the state and Federal Governments must remain strong. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said among the resolved matters is the interim special grant for Sabah, which has been increased from RM300 million to RM600 million this year, along with an allocation of RM10 billion to complete the Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah. 'It (Pan Borneo Highway in Sabah) was delayed under the previous government, but we are continuing it under the responsibility of the Federal Government. Maybe it's not visible yet, not completed, but at least we've approved it and the work packages are in progress,' he said. On utilities, Anwar said the Federal Government has given full authority over electricity supply management to the state government, along with continuous subsidies for seven years until 2030 amounting to RM3.54 billion. To address the ongoing water supply issues, the Federal Government has approved an allocation of RM300 million, in addition to handing over projects worth under RM50 million to the state administration.
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Johari: RM1.4b over five years to replant ageing oil palm trees
JOHOR BARU: Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), the government is expected to allocate RM1.4 billion over the next five years to support smallholders in replanting ageing oil palm trees. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said today that the initiative aligns with the government's goal of strengthening Malaysia's position as the world's second-largest palm oil producer. "The parliamentary debate on the 13MP begins tomorrow, and we expect valuable feedback from members of parliament." Johari added that the ministry is making a strong push to assist smallholders with replanting. He said about RM1.4 billion will be required over five years — not annually — to encourage smallholders to rejuvenate aging plantations with higher-yielding varieties. He said this after officiating the Umno Johor Baru conference here, accompanied by division chief Datuk Yahya Jaafar. He was responding to questions about the 13MP, which was tabled in Parliament on Thursday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. While tabling the 13MP, Anwar reaffirmed the government's resolve to revitalise strategic sectors, including agricultural commodities, the halal industry, and Islamic finance, by boosting productivity in palm oil, rubber, and cocoa through modern technologies such as mechanisation, automation, robotics and targeted R&D. Johari, who also serves as the natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, said an aggressive replanting initiative would boost Malaysia's export potential and strengthen its global market share. "Malaysia's commodity exports stand at about RM115 billion, and this replanting initiative is expected to contribute to our export growth. "If we can upgrade and replant large areas of ageing oil palm trees, it will boost our capacity and competitiveness in the global palm oil market."
