SEREMBAN: Those who have encroached onto government land in Negri Sembilan must apply for a temporary occupation licence (TOL), says exco member Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias.
The state agriculture, food security and cost of living committee chairman said people who had been growing oil palm, rubber, durian and other cash crops on government land previously had been granted TOLs under its legalisation policy.
"They have to renew the TOL annually.
"We do not give them a lease but only approval to occupy the land temporarily for agriculture purposes," he told the media after the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri here on Wednesday (April 16).
This arrangement is a win-win situation as the state also gets revenue out of it, he added.
"When you work on a parcel of land that does not belong to you, you have to pay for it. It's as simple as that.
"The (fee) will be based on the number of trees in a particular area and the revenue generated from the sale of produce."
However, Jalaluddin said those with juvenile trees that have yet to bear fruit would only be charged a minimal rate.
He also pointed out that a TOL is only granted to those who work the land, and not to any third party.
"We also have an agreement that they will have to vacate the area should the state need the land.
"So far, we have not come across any issues," he said, adding that a TOL would not be issued if the authorities felt the type of crop being grown was not suitable.
Jalaluddin said the state government's policy was that anyone who wished to farm the land or carry out any other agricultural activities must get the necessary approvals first.
Earlier, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said there have been no reports of widespread encroachment of state land, including on forest reserves.
Most of the plots for which TOLs have been issued are 0.2ha to 2ha (0.5 to five acres) in size.
