Penang gov't acts on developer who sold burial plots on state land
The Penang government has initiated action against a property developer who sells illegal burial plots on state land in Batu Kawan.
Although the developer owns three plots in the area, he has 43 burial plots which encroached on state land, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (photo).
Chow said that a police report was lodged on Sept 4 against the individual for trying to stop the enforcement team from carrying out their duties. He has been detained for further investigations by the police...
The Penang government has initiated action against a property developer who sells illegal burial plots on state land in Batu Kawan.
Although the developer owns three plots in the area, he has 43 burial plots which encroached on state land, said Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (photo).
Chow said that a police report was lodged on Sept 4 against the individual for trying to stop the enforcement team from carrying out their duties. He has been detained for further investigations by the police.
Chow later showed a video clip on how enforcement was done at the said area.
The chief minister said state authorities had first met the individual on Nov 29 last year.
"He had been informed about his encroachment activities," Chow told reporters in George Town today.
"I am aware that such cases have been happening for a while now, and they were reported to the state land committee.
“The matter was discussed during the state land committee meeting which I chaired on April 3," he said.
Chow said if the state did not take any action against the offender, more state plots would be encroached on and this would pose a problem when the land needed to be vacated.
"We have issued the offender an order to cease activities on state land. We have even put up signboards and a notice of persecution if the activity continues.
"But it was a waste of time as the signboards were vandalised and the encroachment continued. The signboards and notices did not deter the individual,” Chow said.
The state then issued the individual an official letter, dated April 5, to inform about the offences. The letter was received by his wife.
The individual faces a penalty under the National Land Code for land encroachment on one plot, which saw new structures, including an alleged memorial, being built.
If convicted, the individual faces a maximum fine of RM500,000 and/or five years jail sentence.
Chow said the state is open for discussion if the owner wanted to legalise his burial plot business.
"We could not take action on another plot of land as the burial plots there were already sold and used," Chow said.
"The public is advised not to purchase the burial plots as they are illegal.
“There would be a big problem to get the bodies exhumed when the burial has already happened on an illegal plot.
"This is a sensitive issue. We don't intend to dig the graves or exhume bodies as it involves families. The funeral and burial is a person's last journey, we do not want the affected families to face problems, " Chow said.
He added that any person affected by this issue can contact the Southern Seberang Perai district office.
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