LABUAN — The Federal Territories Director of Lands and Mines Office (Labuan) today demolished a house illegally rebuilt on government land in Kampung Gersik in its second enforcement operation against the same property following an earlier demolition in 2023.
Its deputy director, Abdul Basit Abdul Latiff, said the operation was carried out following an official complaint from the village head at the end of last year that the homeowner had reconstructed the house despite several illegal structures in the area having previously been demolished for occupying government land without permission.
“Of the affected homeowners, only this individual rebuilt the house. The others did not reconstruct their homes. We had to take enforcement action to clear government land of encroachment and the illegal construction of residential structures,” he told reporters after the operation.
Abdul Basit said the office had issued the homeowner with a one-month notice to vacate the land after receiving the complaint.
He said one of the office’s enforcement personnel was threatened by the homeowner while carrying out official duties, prompting a police report to be lodged. The homeowner was subsequently detained.
“Taking into account the individual’s age, I allowed the person to be released on the same night. However, a warning was issued not to obstruct public officers from carrying out their duties,” he said.
The joint enforcement operation involved 48 personnel from several agencies, including Labuan Corporation, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Labuan Information Department and the Labuan Health Department.
On a separate matter, Abdul Basit said the office had also detected illegal occupation involving the construction of houses in the Patau-Patau 2 area.
However, he said the land has been applied for by the Native Court as an extension of the Patau-Patau 2 native reserve settlement.
“The occupants have voluntarily demolished most of their houses, with only five structures remaining. Following discussions with the Native Court and Labuan Corporation, it was agreed that the remaining occupants, who are residents of Patau-Patau, would be included within the newly approved reserve area after the village head gave his consent,” he said.
Abdul Basit said the office continuously monitors government land for illegal occupation and unauthorised structures and would take enforcement action against offenders.
He said offences under Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965 (Act 828) are punishable by a fine of up to RM500,000, imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
“However, our approach is to give occupants the opportunity to demolish the illegal structures themselves instead of prosecuting them in court,” he added.
