Natural Resources & Environment Ministry must improve the efficiency of Land Offices

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw urges the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to raise its efficiency and improve its services, such as simplifying the procedure for land titles. This will help solve the problem of land titles involving 1124 houses in Kepong Garden.

In 2011, the allocation for Land Management and laws Department in the ministry is RM176 million. This money should be used effectively to improve the service in land offices in the country.

Ob 23.1.2011, Dr Tan met residents in Kepong Garden to explain the steps taken towards solving the land title problem.

For over 40 years, Kepong Garden residents have no final land titles. But, their land is freehold. Previously, it was not compulsory for a surveyor to get a licence. Neither was it compulsory for house owners to apply for final titles. Then,the developer, who is ultimately responsible for land titles, Survey and Mapping Department, City Hall and Housing and Local Government Ministry must play their parts.

There are two phases in Kepong Garden. Phase 1 consists of 524 units and Phase 2 600 units. The Survey Department must complete accurate survey before final titles can be issued by the Land Office. Hitherto, 47 units have their lots surveyed. Work is going on with the rest of the 524 units. We are going to the Survey and Mapping Department to ascertain when work will be done on the 600 units in Phase 2.

Besides Land Office and Survey and Mapping Department, City Hall, Housing and Local Government Ministry must review the problems of housing and land titles, cutting down bureaucracy and red-tape. Now, visitors to these departments see good and bad personnel. If they are lucky, they meet the good ones. Otherwise, they feel frustrated, being kicked from one place to another.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw