SHAH ALAM – The Selangor state government has reiterated that its approach to land disputes is aimed at preventing conflict and maintaining public order, following criticism over decisions made at the recent State Security Council meeting.
Political Secretary to the Menteri Besar of Selangor, Saifuddin Shafi Muhammad, said the meeting, chaired by the Menteri Besar yesterday, was held to ensure that enforcement actions are carried out in an orderly and lawful manner.
He stressed that the state government had never intended to defend trespassers or deny landowners their rights.
“The meeting did not decide to protect trespassers or prevent landowners from claiming what is rightfully theirs.
“The state government recognises that any construction without approval is unlawful and that justice must be restored to legitimate owners,” he said.
Saifuddin said the meeting instead agreed that any eviction or demolition must be conducted in accordance with legal procedures to avoid unnecessary tension.
According to him, failure to follow proper processes could lead to disputes between landowners and occupants, creating conflicts that would be difficult to resolve.
He cited situations where landowners take matters into their own hands by bringing in heavy machinery to demolish structures, only to face resistance from occupants.
“When this happens and the occupants refuse to cooperate, it can lead to fights and violence on an unpredictable scale,” he said.
He added that such incidents often result in police and local authority enforcement officers being called in to restore order.
“Would it not be better if the police and local council enforcement officers were involved from the beginning to ensure public order and prevent clashes?” he said.
Saifuddin said the presence of uniformed personnel together with a court order during demolition operations would help guarantee safety and peace for both parties.
He explained that the state government’s position was based on advice from the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Armed Forces, as well as legal considerations.
“Only the courts have the authority to declare an act as trespassing, because land trespass is a civil matter, not a criminal offence,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that the state government was trying to complicate matters for landowners.
“I am confident that the state government has no intention of making it difficult for landowners to claim their rights. However, all actions must follow existing legal procedures,” he said.
Saifuddin warned that if both landowners and occupants act without regard for proper processes, it could undermine the rule of law.
“If both sides take action without following the correct procedures, they should consider the long-term impact on the rule of law as enshrined in the Rukun Negara,” he said. -MalayaDailyToday
