Land Code Bill provides for heavier penalties

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2016 passed by the Dewan Negara today provides for heavier penalties against people who utilise government land without the approval of the authorities.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who tabled the Bill, said the penalty under Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965 had been raised from RM10,000 to RM500,000 and the jail term, from one year to 15 years.

"This shows the seriousness of the government in taking into account the complaints of the public for immediate action, as in the case of Cameron Highlands," he said.

Amendments to the Act involved 70 sections and three new sections were also introduced, encompassing extension of the period of ownership and electronic delivery.

The Bill, which was last amended in 2008, also aims to improve the registration procedure and service delivery, the revenue collection system, disposal procedures and land development.

Earlier, Senator Datuk Abdul Rahman Mat Yasin, when debating the Bill, said electronic registration of land was most apt.

"Registering 100,000 lots electronically only takes two months. Imagine if we were to register that number manually," he said.

The House sits again on Monday. — Bernama