MELAKA: The Melaka government is ramping up efforts to address the growing number of abandoned private lands across the state, warning that continued neglect could turn such plots into "man-made jungles".
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic) said the state is taking a proactive stance by engaging private landowners to ensure idle land is put to productive use rather than left to deteriorate.
“We cannot allow these lands to sit untouched and become overgrown wastelands.
“One of our key strategies was to invite private landowners who have not developed their land to work together with the state government," he said.
Speaking on the final day of the 15th Melaka state legislative assembly sitting at Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh on Wednesday (July 23), Ab Rauf stressed that the government remains open to partnership and dialogue.
He said such collaborations could pave the way for developments in agriculture, commercial enterprises or other productive sectors, benefiting both the state’s economy and the owners themselves.
“Unfortunately, one of the biggest challenges we face is the unwillingness of some landowners to cooperate.
“We will also continue to offer advisory services and development support to encourage more structured and well-planned land use," he said.
As part of the broader plan, Ab Rauf said the state has rolled out the food security enhancement programme in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.
“This programme aims to sustainably utilise idle land for agricultural purposes, and at the same time contribute to the national food security agenda,” he said.
Ab Rauf also pointed out that the state is prepared to act if landowners fail to respond.
He said that among the steps available to authorities is issuing formal notices to urge landowners to clear and maintain their plots.
"Land administrators can enforce Sections 125 to 129 of the National Land Code, which relate to breaches of express conditions on land use, if no action is taken by owners," he said.
He added that landowners are given a specific timeframe to respond to these notices.
“Failure to reply or comply could result in enforcement action, including the forfeiture of land under Section 129 of the same Act,” he added.
