Alienation Of Land Reserves, Green Areas To Developers A Critical Issue In KL – PAC

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- The cancellation of public land reserves and green areas gazetted in the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan (PTKL) and their subsequent alienation to developers is a critical issue that could affect residents’ quality of life and the city’s ecological functions, according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the situation shows weaknesses in Kuala Lumpur’s land development planning system, which requires a comprehensive review.

“This indicates weaknesses in the land development planning system in Kuala Lumpur that need to be reviewed, particularly in relation to the appropriateness of developments such as the alienation of land for high-density projects on open or green spaces,” she said at a press conference on the PAC Statement relating to land development issues in Kuala Lumpur at Parliament today.

She said this was one of 12 key findings of the PAC after holding nine proceedings between Feb 5 and May 21, 2025 involving various parties, including the Federal Territories Department, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage.

Mas Ermieyati said the proceedings also called former Chief Secretary to the Government, former Federal Territories Minister, former Kuala Lumpur Mayor, as well as representatives of non-governmental organisations such as the Association of Authorised Land Surveyors Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur Residents+Sustainability Development Association, Save Kuala Lumpur and residents’ representatives.

She said another PAC finding from the proceedings was that the City Advisory Board’s role is limited to being an adviser under the Federal Capital Act 1960 (Act 190) and does not have joint decision-making powers.

“This has resulted in the absence of an effective check-and-balance mechanism in decisions relating to government land development in Kuala Lumpur,” she said.

Meanwhile, PAC deputy chairman Teresa Kok said the PAC recommended that the government establish a Standing Committee to monitor land affairs, including alienation and development of land in Kuala Lumpur.

“The government should establish a Standing Committee to monitor land affairs, including the alienation and development of land in Kuala Lumpur, with the involvement of Members of Parliament in the Federal Territories,” she said.

Kok said the PAC also recommended that the government reinstate the chairmanship of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Land Working Committee to the Minister responsible for administering the Federal Territories to enhance democratic accountability.

“The PAC also recommends amendments to laws relating to land development in Kuala Lumpur, such as the Federal Capital Act 1960 and the Planning Act 1982 (Act 267), to introduce a system of appointed Councillors in DBKL, as implemented in other states, to ensure proper checks and balances.

"DBKL must ensure that all land use transactions and decisions are in line with the gazetted Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan and Local Plan. Any non-compliance must be justified publicly,” she said.

In other recommendations, Kok said the government must ensure that land sales are conducted transparently and openly through tender, and finalise amendments to the land premium calculation method by the end of 2025 to bring it in line with market prices.

-- BERNAMA