The Kelantan government cannot provide financial assistance to repair houses built on state land without permission, as doing so would go against the law, says Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
He said the state government could not endorse residential construction without proper approval, as it could undermine the administration and control of government land.
Residents must have legal ownership or valid permission, including a Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL), before they are allowed to build homes on state land.
“Houses built on government reserve land without permission are actually illegal.
“As long as there is no ownership or permission, we cannot allow it. Otherwise, we would end up losing control of government land. They must obtain permission, whether through a TOL or another form of approval,” he said.
Mohd Nassuruddin was responding to a supplementary question from Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani of Barisan Nasional during the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly sitting on Monday.
He said it would be difficult for the state government to consider providing assistance to residents who had built their homes illegally, as doing so would effectively mean supporting an act that violated the law.
“If we want to help people who have committed an offence under the law, we simply cannot do that.
“It is also difficult for us to approve something that goes against the law. If the Yang Berhormat wants to help, then he will have to find his own way,” he said.
However, Mohd Nassuruddin said residents in need of housing land could approach their respective Land and District Offices to identify suitable government land for possible approval.
He cited Jeli and Gua Musang as examples of areas where government land was still available for consideration as residential sites for those in need.
“In areas such as Jeli and Gua Musang, there is still plenty of government land available.
“Residents can discuss with the Land Office and identify government land that could be approved for housing. God willing, their applications can be considered,” he said.
