SEREMBAN – The issue regarding the change of ownership status from leasehold to freehold was hotly debated during the Negri Sembilan legislative assembly sitting today.
It was brought up, during a question-and-answer session, by Datuk Ismail Lasim (BN-Juasseh), who wanted to know the number of applications received by local authorities for such changes.
Before Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (PKR-Sikamat) could answer, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (BN-Rantau) interjected saying the way it was implemented by state government was wrong, demanding an explanation from the National Land Council (NLC).
“If this happens, I feel that there will be changes in the Parliament Act. This needs to be fine-tuned, and for the moment, I hope the state government will not proceed further until we get the views of NLC and the Attorney-General’s Office.
“When the National Land Code was introduced, there was no land categorised as freehold property except under special circumstances.”
Mohamad’s statement was opposed by state Youth and Sports Development Committee chairman Mohamad Taufek Abd Ghani and state Investment, Industrial, Entrepreneurship, Education and Human Capital Action Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Rafie Ab Malek, who said Mohamad is denying the wishes of the people.
Mohamad stood up again and said he is not preventing the people from benefiting by the move, adding that he just wants to ensure that NLC approved the implementation so that there will be no problems in future.
“If it is well and good, we will support it because I will abide by the law. When everything is in order, I myself will bring this letter in the next assembly sitting.”
The discussion was further heated up when Chew Seh Yong (DAP-Lobak) stood up to say Mohamad had shown no respect for the state government’s decision and only wanted to sabotage it.
Mohamad once again stood up and stressed that he was doing this for his own satisfaction.
“I just want to satisfy myself… what is wrong with me writing a letter?" he asked, before Speaker Datuk Zulkefly Mohamad Omar intervened.
To ease the situation, Mohamad proposed that the approval obtained by the state government regarding the issue be tabled during the last day of the assembly sitting tomorrow, which was supported by P. Gunasekaren (DAP-Seremban Jaya).
Earlier, responding to Ismail's question, Aminuddin informed the sitting that as of last October, 141 land conversion applications were received, of which 39 involved urban land and 102 suburban land, with remaining lease periods of less than 70 years. Seven applications have been approved. – Bernama, December 2, 2020
