Perak gives out first batch of permanent land titles

STAR, 31 December 2008

IPOH: The Pakatan Rakyat-led Perak government has given out 11 permanent land titles to residents of new villages in the state despite the objections of the Federal Government.

State senior executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said the first batch of applicants received their land titles from Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin at a ceremony in Gerik on Tuesday.

They were from Kampung Baru Kuala Rui.

The 11 are the first batch of 47,000 lot owners in 134 new villages and 102,000 lot owners in 349 planned villages eligible for automatic conversion of their titles from leasehold to freehold.

Ngeh told reporters here on Wednesday that the conversion of land titles had been carried out legally, and noted that the state’s panel of at least 10 lawyers had vetted the entire process.

“Everything we have done is legal and, with due respect, we would like to note that the Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) had erred in his legal opinion,” he added.

Ngeh revealed that titles to 10 other plots of 1.6ha under a cluster-farming scheme in Tanjung Rimbun had been given out to Malay farmers.

“Again, the state government would like to stress that it does not practise racial policies. Everything it does is for the rakyat (people),” he said.

Ngeh added that 320 plots covering 598.8ha would be given out under the scheme.

Later, at a function to present aid to 400 poor and orphaned children, Nizar said as far as the state was concerned, it had not broken any laws in giving out the titles.

Najib: National Land Council to decide on State’s move to award freehold titles

New Straits Times, 24 December 2008

PUTRAJAYA: The Perak government will have to put on hold its intention to award freehold land titles to those residing in settlements and new villages.

This is because states which want to do so will have to get the approval of the National Land Council to ensure there is uniformity in procedure and policies.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Perak had during the council’s meeting yesterday, voiced its intention to award freehold land titles to those living in settlements and new villages.

However, the decision would have to be deferred until the council has held an in-depth discussion on the matter.

“We have a policy where states cannot make unilateral decision on issuing freehold land titles. Such titles are usually given to land that is to be used by the Federal Government, for public use and under special circumstances.

“The National Land Council will convene a special meeting soon to enable the state to present its working paper and for us to discuss their proposal.

“Until the council makes a decision, Perak cannot award the land titles to the people concerned,” he told reporters after chairing the National Land Council meeting at the Implementation and Coordination Unit here yesterday. It is learnt that the state’s intention would involve around 2,800ha of land.

Najib also said the e-tanah pilot project, currently being tested in Penang would be extended to Malacca and Negri Sembilan next year.

“If the project proves successful and beneficial, we will extend it nationwide.”

The e-tanah is an electronic land transaction system that promises a more modernised land office administration.