Dewan Rakyat passes Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill

KUALA LUMPUR: The Land Acquisition (Amendment) Bill 2016 aimed at improving land acquisition procedures in the country was passed by the Dewan Rakyat today.
The bill to amend the Land Acquisition Act 1960 was debated by 22 MPs before it was passed without any changes.
Earlier, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar when winding up debate said the changes were necessary especially for infrastructure development to retain the country's competitiveness in heading towards a developed nation.
He said the amendments covered important areas like underground work like building of tunnels, drainage systems and underground infrastructure.
"Acquisition of land for Malaysia's economic development and for a locality however must meet stringent conditions so that the interests and welfare of the people are not affected," he said.
In the case of acquisition of land for underground development, he said the technical aspects and safety of those above must be considered before a project can be implemented.
"If there is a need for them to vacate their premises temporarily for their safety while the underground project is carried out, compensation will be paid," he said.
On land acquisition by the government which are later left idle, Wan Junaidi said this happened to due to certain reasons and that the land concerned could be used for other purposes in the interest of the people.
When tabling the bill for third reading yesterday, Wan Junaidi had said the amendments were necessary because suitable land for development was becoming increasingly limited and that was why strata and underground development was becoming more commonplace. — Bernama