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, says acting natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Johari Ghani.
Johari, the plantation and commodities minister, also said that Malaysia’s land management required a new, forward-looking approach which emphasises cooperation between federal and state governments to ensure that 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.
Citing the redevelopment plan of Kampung Sungai Baru as an example, Johari said land issues that were once uncontested had now escalated into serious disputes.
“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 today.
Referring to the Kampung Sungai Baru case, Johari said a lack of consensus had made it difficult for developers to proceed, while political sentiments had intensified the situation, leading to the involvement of enforcement agencies such as the police and the federal reserve unit during recent disputes.
He urged stakeholders, including developers, politicians, and government departments, to adhere to official definitions and policies related to land, adding 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 is 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 said.
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 has 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 said.
