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THE Federal Department of Director of Lands and Mines (JKPTG) is taking steps to review amendments to the Land Acquisition Act 1960 (Act 486), focusing on compensation awards, the issuance of extended land titles, and updated procedures for court references.
Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Plantations and Commodities acting on behalf of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, said the proposed improvements would emphasise fair compensation, land acquisitions that benefit the public, and clear avenues for legal claims.
“In line with current needs and ongoing legal claims, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, through JKPTG, has taken steps to enhance governance and procedures for land acquisition,” he said in a written reply in Parliament.
Johari was responding to a question from Ahmad Fadzil Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) on whether there were proposals to amend Act 486 following the 2021 updates, noting ongoing weaknesses in protecting the public, including an overly broad interpretation of “public interest,” delays in compensation payments affecting landowners, and limited appeal options.
The act has frequently been raised in recent parliamentary debates, following the government’s introduction of the Urban Renewal Bill (PSB).
The issue of land acquisition in Kampung Sungai Baru has also drawn public attention, with some residents alleging unfair practices in the acquisition process. The case remains under judicial review.
Earlier this month, Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), revealed that the 2021 gazettement approval for Kampung Sungai Baru under Act 486 was carried out hastily, within a three-day period. - October 30, 2025
