KUALA LUMPUR: The director-general of the Federal Land and Mines Department is studying amendments to the Land Acquisition Act 1960 (Act 486) on compensation awards, issuance of ownership extension, and updates of procedures for reference to the courts.
Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said these suggested improvements would focus on fair compensation payout, land acquisitions that benefit the people, and providing more room for compensation claims in court.
“The ministry, in line with current needs and court claims issues, has, through the Federal Land and Mines Department, taken steps to upgrade land acquisition governance and procedures,” he said in a written reply in Parliament.
He was responding to a question from Ahmad Fadzil Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas), who asked if there were plans to amend Act 486, as there are still weaknesses in terms of public protection, including the definition of ‘public interest’, which is deemed too general.
Issues with the act also include delays in compensation payouts and limited room for appeal.
The Act had been raised several times in debates by members of parliament following the tabling of the Urban Renewal Bill.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, earlier this month, had accused one of her predecessors, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, of making a “rushed” decision to allow a developer to take ownership of land in Kampung Sungai Baru, which has been proposed for redevelopment.
She said that Act 486 was invoked against residents who had opposed the redevelopment plan.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
