PUTRAJAYA: The Director-General of the Lands and Mines Department's (JKPTG) figures for 2021 show that a total of 1,444 federal land lots with a combined area of over 9,399.09 hectares have not been developed for a period of five years or more following the date of land ownership.
According to Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, the chief secretary to the government, this includes land that has been acquired and abandoned for more than 20 years.
He said that the government suffered social and economic losses as a result of the lack of progress.
To expedite the development of plans, Mohd Zuki Ali instructed federal ministries and departments as users (KJP) to evaluate and update the database under its preview.
He said that this was in accordance with the Federal Land Management New Direction 2021–2030 policy, which states that KJP may only keep federal land for a maximum of five years, with an additional two years for appeals to be heard.
KJP is a part of JKPTG, which, among other things, helps to make sure that the land under its jurisdiction is properly managed and used.
In order to maximise revenue for the federal government, KJP should approach the Federal Land Commissioner (PTP) for any federal land that has not yet been developed, Mohd Zuki said.
"In this regard, methods such as mortgages and leasing can be considered. If the land is no longer needed, the method of conversion to another KJP or disposal through handing it back to the state authorities can be studied and presented to the Federal Land Use and Development Special Committee (JKPKTP)," he said.
Mohd Zuki was speaking at the Federal Land Conference held in conjunction with the 7th National Land Day celebration yesterday.
The conference was held for the first time as a two-way engagement and communication platform between KJP, PTP, and other stakeholders.
