KOTA BARU: The Kelantan government cannot provide house repair assistance to the hardcore poor living illegally on state reserve land, said Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
He said building homes on state reserves without approval was against the law, warning that state reserve land would be depleted if unauthorised occupations were permitted.
“The law is clear that building a house on government reserve land without permission is wrong. As long as there is no ownership or permission, we cannot provide repair assistance.
“We cannot legally assist those who are breaking the law. If YB still wants to help, that is entirely up to you.
“I cannot say it is permissible because it is not,” he said.
Nassuruddin said this in response to a supplementary question from Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghan (BN-Nenggiri) at the state legislative assembly sitting today.
Earlier, Azmawi Fikri asked about the state government’s policy and considerations regarding housing repair assistance for the poor who have long occupied state reserve land without permanent land titles.
Nassuruddin said allowing aid for illegal dwellings would create administrative chaos.
However, he said the state government was prepared to consider land ownership applications in areas with ample government land, such as Gua Musang and Jeli.
“You may discuss with the Land Office to look at government land that we can approve for residential plots. God willing, we will consider it,” he said.