Two land-related laws to be amended - Wan Junaidi

Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the two acts, enacted in the 1970s and 1980s, were outdated and required urgent amendment.

"It involves amendments to the National Land Code 1965," he told a media conference after delivering his 2016 New Year address to his ministry's staff here today.

He said the proposed amendments to the acts were expected to help the government improve land management services efficiently and facilitate land acquisition involving strata development and underground soil development.

Wan Junaidi said draft of the amendment laws for the acts had been submitted for approval of the Attorney-General and would be tabled at the National Land Council meeting before being brought to the Parliament sitting.

On amendments to the Strata Titles Act, he said it would facilitate strata title applications, especially for old buildings that were occupied before 2007 and the issuing of strata titles.

"When passed in Parliament later, about 200,000 cases for flats built in the 1970s and 1980s but yet to have grants or titles will be settled," he said.

Wan Junaidi said his ministry was also be reviewing several other laws, including the National Water Policy to ensure water security issues.

He said the ministry would also amend laws relating to the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) to allow FRIM greater participation in the commercialisation of products from research and development activities.