MUDA's Bukit Gasing candidate VKK Raja has urged the government to tackle the issue of leasehold land in Petaling Jaya.
He said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 9) the affected residents had a right to freehold titles, adding that there seemed to be unequal treatment in the matter of land titles in the city.
"There are several sections in Petaling Jaya such as Damansara Utama, Kelana Jaya, and SS1 to SS7 that have freehold land titles, with some converted (from leasehold).
"Many of the leasehold titles are in the older sections that pioneered the development of Petaling Jaya.
"As such, while some enjoy freehold titles, others are disadvantaged. Aside from lower valuation, leasehold title owners often cannot afford the extension premiums.
"This is the case especially for initial residents who are now (senior citizens). This also presents obstacles for them to pass on their properties to the next generation.
"Choosing to live out the rest of the lease period instead, and with their children moving elsewhere, brings about economic stagnation and hastens the ageing of Petaling Jaya," he said.
Petaling Jaya was founded in the early 1950s prior to independence and the area was under private ownership.
Sections 1 to 16 were developed prior to the National Land Code. However, through the independence transitional years, the lands that were initially of freehold titles were issued with leasehold titles instead.
"The National Land Code was implemented in 1965 but it clearly states that nothing done under any previous land law would be invalidated by the present law. Hence, Petaling Jaya leasehold property owners today have a right to freehold land titles," he said.
It was earlier reported that Petaling Jaya residents are appealing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the next Selangor mentri besar to look into the plight of thousands of residents who were facing leasehold issues.
A group of residents with landed properties in the city want the government to review the leasehold matter to ensure a win-win situation for both sides.
