KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s legislative assembly approves a new land law to govern subsidiary titles for buildings and land.
The state assembly in Kota Kinabalu unanimously passed the Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment 2026 on Thursday (April 30).
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasni said the law replaces the 1972 enactment and sets fines of RM250,000 to RM1 million for late subdivision applications.
“This restructuring improves the existing legal framework to be clearer and more organised,” Isnin said.
Isnin said the law covers buildings and land, including land with two or more buildings. He said the law has eight parts and 54 clauses, while the 1972 law had seven parts.
Isnin said landowners must apply for subdivision after they sell or agree to sell a parcel unit. He said owners of completed buildings must apply within six months from commencement, or within three months from the superstructure certificate for later buildings.
He said it provides for transition to electronic subsidiary title registers, with electronic signatures by the Registrar. He said the new law provides for expanded enforcement powers, including authorised officers' ability to enter premises, investigate, access computer data, seize, prevent record tampering, and act against obstruction.
Sabah Legislative Assembly, Land (Subsidiary Title) Enactment 2026, subsidiary titles, land subdivision, Kota Kinabalu, Isnin Aliasni, RM250,000, RM1mil, superstructure certificate, landowners
“Courts may order landowners to apply for subdivision or the issuance of subsidiary titles within a set timeframe,” he said, adding that the 1972 Enactment was repealed with transitional provisions to ensure continuity.
“Pending applications under the old law are deemed continued under the new law, and existing subsidiary titles and registers remain valid until reprocessed or replaced,” he added.
