SHAH ALAM: The Selangor District Security Committee (SDCC) was activated to serve as a vital mediator in resolving sensitive land disputes, specifically those involving unauthorised places of worship built on private property.
According to Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, the primary objective of the recently activated committee is to balance legal ownership rights with the preservation of communal harmony.
Addressing the Selangor State Assembly sitting here today (April 23), Amirudin said that while the law remains clear, the social reality is often more complex.
“In principle and in law, private land should be managed by its owner. This means the landowner is responsible for securing, fencing and taking action against any unauthorised activity on the land,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that direct action by landowners can often spark significant tension and discomfort, particularly when a place of worship has been established for decades.
“In this matter, the role of mediation is extremely important. The need for a neutral intermediary becomes even more significant in cases involving land owned by large institutions or long-standing cases with their own historical background,” Amirudin said.
He pointed out that several of these sites date back to the plantation era, when estate workers lived on the land long before it was sold or earmarked for redevelopment.
The Mentri Besar was responding to a question from Mohd Zamri Mohd Zainuldin (PN-Sungai Burong) regarding the state government’s decision to activate the committee earlier this year.
Amirudin stressed that the move was vital to ensure the views of all stakeholders are heard in a structured environment. “With the involvement of the security, authorities, district and land offices and other related agencies, the government hopes to prevent any undesirable situation or tension that could affect public harmony,” he said.
Amirudin also expressed confidence that the new framework would succeed where previous land task forces had failed.
He was responding to concerns from Mohd Rafiq Mohd Abdullah (PN-Kuang), who pointed out that a shortage of enforcement staff, insufficient funding, and outdated records hampered past efforts.
Amirudin noted that under the powers vested by the National Security Council Act 2016 (Act 776), the district officer will now serve as an empowered, neutral mediator to review each case fairly and comprehensively.
This approach is expected to provide significant relief to smallholders who may lack the financial resources for protracted legal battles.
However, Amirudin clarified that in cases of clear encroachment, actions will remain subject to the law, with the police maintaining their enforcement role.
