States can give out land titles to new villages

Dr Abdul Aziz Bari says the previous state government issued permanent land titles in 2008.

THERE are no provisions in the Federal Constitution that disallows the state from issuing land titles to planned or new villages.

State education, science, environment, green technology and information committee chairman Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Bari said the respective states had the sole right and power to issue land titles.

“It is wrong to say the manifesto cannot be implemented because of the Constitution.

“To say the content is against the Constitution is also wrong,” he said.

Dr Abdul Aziz said, “Article 91 (5) of the Constitution is about the jurisdiction of the National Land Council to regulate policies on the utilisation of land for mining, agriculture and forestry.”

He was commenting on a remark by Perak Mentri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu who said that issuing permanent land titles to new or planned villages was against the Constitution during his winding-up speech at the state assembly sitting.

Abdul Aziz said the National Land Council was merely an advisor and had no jurisdiction to decide on the issuance of titles.

He added that the previous Pakatan Rakyat state government issued permanent land titles in 2008.

“It can be done.

“The land will only be used for housing and we are not giving it to big companies,” he said.

Abdul Aziz added that he did not blame anyone on this issue.

“We want to have an accountable and transparent government. This is something we promised in the manifesto.

“We must be united on policies but should not go against the law.

“This issue is yet to be discussed or finalised,” he added.